DATE=9/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA ELECTION (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254353
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The electoral battleground in India's staggered
general election is moving to the east of the country,
where several states will vote in the final round of
polling later this week (October 3rd). Anjana Pasricha
reports from New Delhi, as the country prepares for
the last round, election-related violence has claimed
more victims in the eastern state of Bihar.
Text: Police say four people were killed (Sunday) in
clashes in Bihar. Three activists of a Marxist group
shot to death the leader of the state's ruling
Rashtriya Janata party. Angry party supporters later
lynched the three Marxist activists, who had
threatened to disrupt the polls. The latest clashes
followed the death of nine people in Saturday's voting
in the state.
55 people have been killed so far in the country in
election-related violence - mostly in Bihar -- India's
poorest and most lawless state. Polling has already
been held in two-thirds of the state - the rest will
vote on Sunday along with other eastern states in the
last round of voting.
Bihar Home Commissioner U.N. Panjiar says there is
tight security for the final voting round.
///Insert Panjiar act///
There is tension in some areas where we have taken
effective steps so that the tension does not escalate.
///End Panjiar act///
Election-related violence was also reported from the
northern Kashmir state, where eight policemen
escorting an election candidate were wounded by a
landmine blast Sunday.
Among the states voting this week will be West Bengal,
Assam and parts of Uttar Pradesh. Violence is not the
only threat to polling in some of these regions.
Authorities in West Bengal and Bihar say widespread
flooding in parts of these states could disrupt
polling. In West Bengal some schools where polling
booths were being established have been submerged.
Mr. Panjiar says the floods could also pose a problem
in Bihar.
///Insert panjiar act///
If the flood continues like this, there may be some
problem in the final phase also. But we are still one
week away, and if water recedes we will be able to
conduct the poll, but if the situation continues like
it was on 25th September, then there may be some
problem in some areas.
///End panjiar act///
(Opt)
Meanwhile latest exit polls are giving conflicting
predictions on results in areas where polling has been
held so far. Most exit polls so far say the Bharatiya
Janata party-led alliance will win a firm
parliamentary majority. But at least one exit poll
published Monday said the opposition Congress party
and its allies are in a neck-to-neck race with the
BJP.
(End Opt)
Counting of votes will begin on October 6th and a new
Government is expected to be in place by the middle of
the month. (signed)
NEB/VC/PLM
27-Sep-1999 06:59 AM EDT (27-Sep-1999 1059 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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