"In all 149 polling stations spread over 12 of the 16 constituencies have been relocated for security or other reasons," an Election Commission release said in Ranchi on Thursday.
A maximum of 48 polling stations have been relocated in Manika, followed by 27 in Latehar and 13 in Simaria. "With the aim of conducting free and fair polls, senior Indian Police Services officers in the ranks of inspector general and deputy inspector general will monitor the polling from strategic points," a senior police officer said.
Between 700 and 750 companies, each comprising 80-100 personnel, have been deployed to conduct free and fair polling in the wake of Maoist boycott call.
Polling in the previous four phases for 65 assembly constituencies had accounted an overall impressive 58.51 per cent figure.
As many as 11 election observers, 18,520 polling staff and 529 micro observers have been deputed to oversee the polling, the release said.
The EC has also made provisions for 126 video and 378 digital cameras during the polling. The constituencies going for polls on Friday are Chatra, Latehar, Simaria, Panki, Bishrampur, Hussainabad, Chhatarpur, Garhwa, Bhawnathpur, Manika, Chaibasa, Barkatha, Jagannathpur, Sareikella, Kharsawan and Daltonganj.
Of these 16, nine are in the Maoist-affected Palamau division comprising Palamau, Latehar and Chatra. A total of 33,96,472 electorate are eligible to decide the fate of 290 candidates contesting from the 16 seats. Bhawnathpur has a maximum of 25 candidates while Chatra with 10 contestants has the lowest number.
