The Election Commission has drawn up a detailed plan to effectively deal with the Naxal problem during the general elections in the states affected by the menace.
"We know the problem, and we reviewed it in detail. We will be able to deal with it effectively," Election Commissioner S Y Quereshi told a press conference in Ranchi.
While saying that Jharkhand was not the only Naxal-affected state, Quereshi said the constituencies of Chatra, Palamau, Lohardaga, Khunti, Kazaribag and Koderma in Jharkhand, which are Naxal-infested, were going for the first phase polls on April 16.
"I met with the DGP, the home secretary and other officials and discussed about the arrangements. Micro observers will be deputed and each polling booth will be connected with whatever available communication facilities, including satellite phones, so that any problem can be dealt with quickly," he said.
In a veiled warning to candidates with criminal background, the EC said such persons would be tracked with the help of visual aids to keep a record of their movements and also ensure free and fair polls.
The EC said the security forces and other polling staff in Jharkhand, numbering about 1.5 lakh, would be given election duty certificates to enable them to cast their votes from the place where they are posted.
"The polling staff posted beyond their constituencies can exercise their franchise by post," he added.
Replying a question, he said "political parties can use flags and banners at places where there was no objection. School grounds can also be used for election meetings with the permission of the school management."
The Election Commission was also considering to allow alternative identity cards for those not having election photo identity cards, he said. "But any identity card without a photograph will not be allowed," he added.
