New Delhi, March 18 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday deployed over 25 lakh officials to ensure violence-free and inducement-free elections in five States/UTs, following the announcement of the Assembly election schedule on March 15.

According to the Commission, elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six States.

Over 17.4 crore electors are eligible to vote in these elections, with nearly one election official deployed for every 70 voters to ensure the smooth conduct of polling.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that officials have been directed to act with complete impartiality to ensure that voters can exercise their franchise wi...