In view of the Maoist threat ahead of the panchayat polls, the Koraput district administration has planned to keep the ballot papers, meant for the Maoist-infested areas, at respective police stations.
According to sources, the Collector Jay Kumar V has directed to keep the ballot papers in areas like Narayanpatna in Bandhugaon block which are highly sensitive and in target of Maoists in nearby police stations and shift the same to the polling booths on the day of voting.
On Monday, the administration dispatched ballot papers to 14 blocks that would go to polls in the first phase on February 13.
Security arrangements are now being regularly reviewed and situation being closely monitored in the blocks like Potaingi, lakhmipur, Nandapur and lamtaput.
The administration has been on its toes after the landmine blast incentent that killed eight policemen and injured five others at Sunki Ghat in the district on February 1. Special arrangements have been made as Maoists have given a call for poll boycott in Naraynpatna and Bondhugaon areas, an official said.
There are 2,973 booths in 240 panchayats out of which 349 booths come under Red zone and of them 364 booths have been identifies as sensitive.
Officers said over 6,000 polling staffs would be representing as polling staffs for the ensuing three-tier panchayat polls.
At present the situation is under control and our preparation for the ensuing polls is going on smoothly. No untoward incident has been reported so far as said by the Collector.