Imphal, February 16: Polling personnel have to walk for more than 25 kms or go by boats to reach around 100 polling stations where polling is scheduled to be held for the third and last phase of the election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly on February 23, Chief Election Officer RR Rashmi has informed.

Talking to mediapersons at the office of DIPR here this evening, Rashmi said for the third phase of the polling to be held at Jiribam sub-division, Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts, polling personnel have to walk more than 25 kms or go by boats to reach around 100 polling stations.

From the view of logistics and topographical features, there might be some difficulties in conducting the election at these areas.

But the polling personnel do not have to worry as they have to go along with the security personnel to reach the designated polling stations, the CEO assured.

Necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the third phase of the election in all the 516 polling stations have been made so that an estimated 3.63 lakhs voters can exercise their franchise to elect their representatives in a free and fair manner, the CEO said, adding that adequate security personnel would be deployed in all the polling stations.

The district administrations concerned have also made the necessary arrangements to provide the opportunity to around 4,700 displaced voters to exercise their voting rights in 7 polling stations of Khengjoi block at the polling stations to be set up specially for them at Lamjang and Hollenjang in Chandel district, the CEO added.

Rashmi further informed that the percentage of repolling recorded at 6/5-Kiyamgei Awang Leikai during the second phase of the election was 93 percent.

Meanwhile, according to information received by the press, over and above deployment of Central paramilitary forces that have been utilised during the first and the second phase of the polling, State security forces would be utilised for the third phase of the election.

Four helicopters would also be used for transportation of polling personnel and material to the designated polling stations in the third phase, the source disclosed.