Imphal, January 21: Deputy Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India (ECI) JP Prakash today visited Churachandpur district where the third and last phase of the election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly will be held in six Assembly Constituencies of the district to inspect the poll preparedness there.

The Deputy Election Commissioner also presided over a meeting of the district level officials concerned to discuss necessary arrangements to be made with regard to security deployment, communication facilities, etc to ensure smooth conduct of the election.

According to an official source, the ECI official took serious note of lack of proper communication and transport facilities in the hilly areas and stressed on improvement in this area.

The visit was conducted to discuss necessary arrangements to be taken up for ensuring free and fair conduct of the third phase of the poll scheduled to take place in the six Assembly Constituencies of the district along with the Assembly Constituencies of Chandel, Tamenglong, and Jiribam.

A joint meeting was also held at the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur to discuss the matter.

The meeting presided by Deputy Election Commissioner JP Prakash and attended by Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district, SP, officials of the Army and BSF, Chief Electoral Officer RR Rashmi and Additional Chief Election Officer DK Singh was held from 10 am to 12 pm.

The meeting discussed in detail the necessary arrangements to be made with regard to security deployment, communication and other related matters.

After the meeting, the Deputy Election Commission left Imphal for New Delhi.

He is expected to visit the State again on February 3 or 4 to review the election arrangements, said the source.