Security has been beefed up in the 15 Maoist-affected booths under the Chitrakonda Assembly constituency in Malkangiri district where re-polling will be conducted on Thursday along with the second-phase polling.
Polling in these booths was disrupted in the first-phase elections held on April 10 as the leftwing ultras looted away some electronic voting machines (EVMs) and set some others on fire.The booths are located at Mahupadar, Kamarpali, Sargiguda, Kansariput, Jodamba, Andrapali, Jantri, Sanyasiguda, Handikhal, Panasput, Singal and Gorasetu in the constituency.
Over 10, 000 voters are expected to cast their votes in four centres at Mahupadar, Sargiguda, Kansariput and Jodamba and a total of 90 polling officials have been engaged for smooth conduct of repelling, said official sources.
Since these booths are located in the Maoist-affected areas, elaborate security measures have been taken up with the deployment of Central forces and the local police. Besides, a helicopter has also been deployed for aerial surveillance to keep a watch on the movement of the Maoists during the polls.