CHENNAI: An all-time high of 196 companies of Central paramilitary forces will be deployed in the State for the May 8 Assembly elections, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Naresh Gupta has said.

For the Assembly elections in 2001, the Election Commission (EC) deployed 111 companies of paramilitary forces. For the Lok Sabha polls in 2004, this went up to 125 companies.

Mr. Gupta told reporters here on Tuesday that interaction with the 30 District Election Officers (DEOs) on Monday revealed that there were 60 sensitive constituencies in the State. Media reports also indicated that the elections would see tough contests and there might be violence in some areas, including Chennai and the southern districts.

The sensitive nature of constituencies was determined on the basis of parameters such as law and order, caste and communal factors and political heavyweights in the fray.

The two Special Observers appointed by the poll panel would assume charge shortly, he said. Four more Special Observers would be deputed to tour different areas and monitor polling arrangements in the sensitive constituencies, areas and booths.

Replying to a query, he said some companies of Central paramilitary forces had arrived. The remaining would take up positions in the next few days. Retired police personnel, ex-servicemen and home guards would also be drafted for election duty.

Replying to questions on the performance of some Election Observers, Mr. Gupta said the poll panel was particular that any Observer coming under a cloud should be changed. The Observer for Salem had been shifted.

Asked about the Pattali Makkal Katchi's allegation that the ruling party was planning to distribute money to women self-help groups on the eve of the polls, he said action would be taken if a complaint was lodged along with evidence. Greater vigil on the part of political parties and people were essential in such cases.

About three lakh persons would be on election duty, including 2.34 lakh personnel on polling duty. A total of 51,534 polling stations would be located in 27,281 buildings. There would be 82 counting centres located in 60 towns.

As many as 11,99,200 ballot papers required for the polls had been distributed to the DEOs and Returning Officers.

Cellular phones, cordless phones, wireless sets etc. would not be allowed within a 100-metre radius of the polling stations. If anybody was found using these officers in-charge of security would seize the instruments.

He said stern action would be taken under Section 171-d and 171-F of the IPC against those indulging in impersonation.

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