The State may ask for more men from Central security forces for the conduct of elections in view of the presence and threat of Left extremists in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kannur districts.
During the 2014 elections, 55 companies of the security forces were deployed in the State.
This time, the State requires 149 companies, Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena told mediapersons here on Wednesday.
Going by the initial assessment, 905 sensitive booths have been identified and the numbers may go up.
The average polling in the State during early elections was in the 70-80% range. This time, the attempt is to improve it to 90%, Mr. Meena said.
Mr. Meena allayed the fears of any possible tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs), which, according to him, were manufactured by two major public sector companies.
The EVMs are manufactured in a high security environment and its movement from the factories to various centres is closely monitored, he said.
False claim
A recent claim from Malappuram regarding irregularities in the EVM was found to be false and a case had been booked against the person who raised the false claim. No one can tamper with or manipulate the EVMs, he said.
The Election Commission has been scrutinising the removal of illegal and unauthorised publicity materials from the public and private properties. The files regarding the extension of moratorium on farm loans, announced by the State government, are yet to reach the commission, Mr. Meena said.
File scrutiny
A State-level committee scrutiny committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, will vet the files that may be send to the commission for approval.
Mr. Meena said a complaint on picturising P. Jayarajan, LDF candidate in Vadakara, in bad light and another one regarding the use of a book penned by Sasi Tharoor were under consideration. A report from the police has been sought in the Vadakara case. The book in question was authored by Mr. Tharoor long back. The Election Commission will take a final call on these cases, he said.
The Commission will look into the campaigning of candidates in educational institutions such as colleges, which are government institutions. “If its a practice that has long been in force in the State, why should I stand in between and disrupt it. However, the legality of the campaign shall be examined in the light of the model code of conduct,” he said.