EC identifies 19,110 people as probable poll trouble-makers

Commission says people of 6,622 hamlets are vulnerable to intimidation, assures preventive measures. HT reports.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared that people of 6,622 hamlets in the state are vulnerable to threats and intimidation in the ensuing assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference, chief electoral officer (CEO) of MP Jaideep Govind said the EC has 19,110 people as probable trouble-makers.
He said preventive measures would be taken in to conduct free and fair election in these areas.

Govind further said, the preventative action would also be taken against those who have been identified as probable trouble-makers.

"There are some areas in the state where the leaders might force the people either to vote in fevour or not to cast their votes," he said.

"As of now, 19,110 probable trouble-makers have been identified and preventative actions will be taken against them," he said.

He further said the number of probable trouble-makers might go up as another survey would be conducted in some districts including Rewa, Shahdol and Jabalpur.

"We have asked the authorities to carry out a drive again to identify such people in those districts which are highly sensitive so that all the suspected people can be identified," he said.

He further said 1,954 illegal weapons were recovered from the various parts of the state. Besides, 333 explosives, 251 cartridges and five bombs were also recovered.

"The number of probable trouble-makers might go up as another survey would be conducted in some districts including Rewa, Shahdol and Jabalpur".

-Jaideep Govind, chief electoral officer