Imphal, October 17: Though different political parties have given differing ideas on the number of phases in which the upcoming Assembly elections should be held, a reliable source today informed The Sangai Express that the election is most likely to be held in three phases.

While the Congress and the BJP are in favour of holding the election in five phases the CPI and the CPI (M) favour holding the election in four phases and the differing viewpoints were put across to the Chief Election Commissioner S Gopalswami during a meeting at the Secretariat today.

The CEC along with the Deputy EC JP Prakash arrived at Imphal today to review the preparations being taken up for the election which is scheduled to be held sometime in February next year.

On their arrival today, the officers from the Election Commission of India convened a meeting at the conference hall Old Secretariat at 4 pm to hear the view points of different political parties for the upcoming Assembly election.

Though the Congress, BJP and the CPI and CPI (M) held differing viewpoints over the number of phases for the elections to be held, a reliable source said that the upcoming poll is most likely to be held in three phases.

To detect multiple listing of names in the electoral roll, the State Government has started using the Beta-2-Version software developed by the Election Commission of India.

The Congress and the BJP suggested to the CEC that the election be held in five phases while the BJP chipped in with the additional suggestion that video camera be installed at the polling booths.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting with the ECI officers, political leaders who attended the meeting said that the CPI and the CPI (M) suggested that the election be held in four phases.

The CPI also expressed deep apprehension to the CEC that muscle and money power may be used by some unscrupulous candidates, said the source further.

The Left party also suggested that the West Bengal model be followed in the election here so that the polling exercise is not reduced to a 'selection of candidates.' To make the election free and fair the NCP pitched in with the suggestion that the Congress led SPF Government be suspended for two months and to hold the election in two phases complete with video coverage.

Making its stand clear, the MPP advocated holding the election in phases and leaders of the party also informed the ECI officers that in some Assembly Constituencies, the number of voters and the population is equal ! Seeking the undivided attention of the ECI to the points raised, MPP urged the officers to ensure that there is politicisation in preparing the electoral roll as well while appointing the presiding officers.

Expressing apprehension of mass scale rigging, the MPP leaders also urged the ECI to provide photo ID cards as well as to provide video coverage as was done at West Bengal and Bihar recently.

The CEC will meet DCs and SPs tomorrow at 9.30 am and this will be followed by another meeting with the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home) and DGP.

A press conference will also be held later in the evening.

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