BHUBANESWAR: Over 200 satellite phones will be used in Maoist-hit districts and at places with poor communication during the twin elections in the state.
The phones will be used by police and paramilitary forces deployed in these areas, said chief electoral officer (CEO) Mona Sharma.
"The use of satellite phones in sensitive areas will be decided jointly by collectors and SPs of the respective districts. While police will use handsets available with them, we have requested the BSNL to install phones in inaccessible areas at the earliest," Sharma said.
"Certain areas are not covered by mobile networks and satellite phones will be of absolute necessity at polling booths there," she added.
The CEO has also urged BSNL to set up Digital Satellite Phone Terminals (DSPT) in interior and inaccessible areas before campaigning begins.
"We are providing logistic support to expedite the installation process, especially in Maoist-hit areas where many heavyweights will go for poll campaign," said a senior officer.
The Maoist-hit areas will go to polls on April 10. According to intelligence reports, Maoists may attempt to disrupt the election process in some areas and target voters.
The CEO has sought 50 additional companies of paramilitary forces for the Maoist-affected districts, which shares borders with equally-sensitive Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. A total of 89 companies of central forces are deployed in the state, sources said.
Besides, the CEO has asked for three helicopters for transportation in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi and Gajapati districts.
Meanwhile, the district administrations are busy with vulnerability mapping of polling booths and will soon submit reports to the CEO.
The vulnerability mapping of booths is being done on the basis of law and order and road and mobile connectivity.
Of the total 35,894 polling stations across the state, 2,500 booths have so far been declared sensitive.
The phones will be used by police and paramilitary forces deployed in these areas, said chief electoral officer (CEO) Mona Sharma.
"The use of satellite phones in sensitive areas will be decided jointly by collectors and SPs of the respective districts. While police will use handsets available with them, we have requested the BSNL to install phones in inaccessible areas at the earliest," Sharma said.
"Certain areas are not covered by mobile networks and satellite phones will be of absolute necessity at polling booths there," she added.
The CEO has also urged BSNL to set up Digital Satellite Phone Terminals (DSPT) in interior and inaccessible areas before campaigning begins.
"We are providing logistic support to expedite the installation process, especially in Maoist-hit areas where many heavyweights will go for poll campaign," said a senior officer.
The Maoist-hit areas will go to polls on April 10. According to intelligence reports, Maoists may attempt to disrupt the election process in some areas and target voters.
The CEO has sought 50 additional companies of paramilitary forces for the Maoist-affected districts, which shares borders with equally-sensitive Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. A total of 89 companies of central forces are deployed in the state, sources said.
Besides, the CEO has asked for three helicopters for transportation in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi and Gajapati districts.
Meanwhile, the district administrations are busy with vulnerability mapping of polling booths and will soon submit reports to the CEO.
The vulnerability mapping of booths is being done on the basis of law and order and road and mobile connectivity.
Of the total 35,894 polling stations across the state, 2,500 booths have so far been declared sensitive.