Barak Valley: Fate of 24 candidates to be decided today

Special Correspondent

Silchar: All preparations have been made by the three district administration of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi to conduct polls for the two parliamentary seats of Silchar and Karimganj on Thursday in a free and fair manner. Polling officers and staff along with security personnel have reached their polling stations this evening, carrying EVM machines and VVPAT. For distantly located polling booths in the Zinam Valley of Cachar bordering Dima Hasao district, Katlicherra along Mizoram border of Hailakandi and Patharkandi and Ratabari along interstate border of Mizoram and Tripura of Karimganj, the polling staff started on Tuesday.

According to official sources, 25, 25, 777 voters are to exercise their franchise for the two Lok Sabha seats. Of them, 11, 93,908 voters will cast their votes for Silchar seat in 1461 booths covering the 7 assembly segments. 13,31,869 voters to vote for Karimganj parliamentary seat in 1721 booths that cover 8 assembly segments. Of them 12,4,589 are female while 13, 2, 710 are male.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made with the deployment of para military forces, police and VDP personnel in and around the polling booths. Sensitive and hypersensitive booths have been brought under close surveillance and vigilance. BSF has been put on high alert along the international border of Cachar and Karimganj. Manobendra Deb Roy, SP of Karimganj, said in addition movement of vehicles and suspects along NH 6 and 37 connecting Manipur and Tripura is under close watch. Amidst this foolproof security arrangement, the fate of 11 candidates contesting for Silchar and 14 vying for Karimganj Lok Sabha seats will be decided.

Also read: Cachar news