EC may seek more forces for polls, IPL uncertainty on rise

New Delhi (PTI): The chances of holding IPL cricket matches appear getting more complicated with the Election Commission on Sunday saying it might require additional forces for the conduct of elections at certain places.

"About IPL, I don't want to say anything. We are not concerned about the IPL. We are concerned about what we get (Central forces for the elections)," Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said.

He was replying to a question at a press conference at the end of the day-long observers' meeting on whether the EC was concerned about adequate security forces for the polls and the IPL matches.

The CEC said though the availability of forces was less in this elections as compared to 2004, deployment in the field was more as against the last polls. "Still we have some concern. We have had one round of talks. We hope to have another round," Mr. Gopalaswami said.

The Commission has toured Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh and feels that more forces could be needed for the polls. "Keeping that in view we might ask for more forces," he said.