The second phase of elections will be just as strictly refereed as the first. Central forces will cover more than 90 per cent of booths in all 62 constituencies. In fact, the security blanket will be a lot more far flung this time around. In the last phase, only 70 per cent of the booths had paramilitary personnel.
In fact, the belt where polling will be held will crawl with 72,000 security men. Helicopters have been requisitioned this time as well to keep an eye on polling. These will be based in Vaishali, Purnia, Muzaffarpur and Begusarai. Digital and hidden cameras will be used to track polling in stations that will be tackled by state police personnel.
Setting the mood for Wednesday's elections, chief secretary G S Kang sounded a warning to trouble-makers. "We have a message for such elements. Don't loot booths or we'll shoot." "Remember how policemen dragged out Vijay Prakash. This should leave nobody in doubt," a senior police officer added. A number of constituencies going to the polls this time around are inaccessible, riverine terrain.
