Patna, Mar 12 (IANS); The Bihar government has sought 180 companies of the central paramilitary forces for deployment at polling booths for holding free and fair Lok Sabha elections in April and May, according to officials here on Tuesday.

The state government has also demanded two helicopters for airborne surveillance and emergencies during the elections, which would be held in seven phases.

"Like 2014 Lok Sabha polls, we want heavy deployment of the central paramilitary forces," a Home Department official said.

Last time, 177 companies of the central paramilitary forces were deployed in Bihar.

The Election Commission (EC) officials during their visit to the state last month hinted toward deploying the central paramilitary forces at each booth. There are 72,723 polling booths across 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

"Our special focus will be on the Maoist-affected districts where large number of the central paramilitary forces would be deployed for conducting peaceful polls," officials said.