But though we expect a peaceful process, we have taken reasonable precautions in some areas. Tens of thousands of police, paramilitary and army personnel would be deployed in all five places. The maximum security would be in Assam, where insurgent groups have called for an election boycott and unleashed terror, killing about 60 people including a candidate. The 10 hours of voting will take place at 148,815 polling stations to pick 823 legislators. The counting of votes will begin on May 12 and most results will be known by that evening.
Election officials say many parties are spending between Rs.
50 million in each constituency although candidates are prohibited from spending in excess of Rs. Electronic voting machines would be used in all the states barring Assam where they would be used only in four constituencies. Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill said the machines help in completing the election process early. Latest opinion polls predict a washout for Vajpayee's National Democratic Alliance in the elections, with the opposition tipped to take or retain power in the four major states.