New Delhi: Polling booths which recorded over 75 per cent turnout or witnessed any sort of electoral violence during previous elections will be identified as 'critical polling stations' this time.
The Election Commission in a fresh set of guidelines said polling stations which saw over 75 per cent of votes going to one candidate would also fall in the same category.
In a communication to all states, the EC said polling stations that went for repoll due to electoral malpractices will also be considered as a critical polling station.
Besides central forces, the critical polling stations would have digital camera or video camera along with micro observers to ensure free and fair elections.
The EC issued the directives to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers soon after announcing the poll schedule for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Mizoram.
The Commission said that the paramilitary force contingent should be provided with the area-wise list of anti-social elements to make the security personnel effective.
The EC favoured that flag marches by the forces should be more on foot to facilitate interaction with local population so as to enhance public confidence with regard to election arrangements for law and order.
On the polling day, the Commission said, the securitymen would guard polling stations, poll materials, poll personnel and the poll process. They would also escort electronic voting machines to and from the polling booths.
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