Patna, Aug 8 (IANS): Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said here on Saturday that
the Election Commission (EC) would deploy adequate security forces for peaceful,
free and fair Bihar assembly polls.

"The EC has directed the concerned officials including chief secretary to DGP and DMs to SPs to ensure free and fair upcoming Bihar assembly polls," Zaidi said in a press conference here after meeting state district and police officials and taking stock of the poll preparations.

Zaidi and his team arrived here on Friday on a two-day visit to review poll preparations following which they are likely to finalise the dates for the state elections.

He said the EC has directed the district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to maintain communal harmony at all costs, take precautionary action against anti-social elements and launch a drive against illicit liquor and illegal arms.

The CEC said that DMs have been directed to provide basic facilities to people at the polling booths. "Our focus is to ensure people-friendly polling booths," he said.

"There are 6.68 crores electorate in Bihar with 99.9 percent of them having photo identity cards," he said, adding that officials have been asked to ensure the uniform application of the model code of conduct.

He said all "officials will be under keen observation of the EC" until the polls conclude.

"Poll officials on Saturday met Bihar district and police officials. Later in the day, the poll panel team met the chief secretary and the director general of police over deployment of security forces in sensitive areas," an official said.

On Friday, Zaidi and his team had met representatives of various political parties.