New Delhi: Taking a cue from the directions issued 21 years ago by then Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan, the Election Commission has directed poll officials in Bihar to ensure that women polling officers are deployed in polling stations with large number of women voters to help in the identification of voters wearing ‘ghoonghat’ (veil) or burqa.

Citing the October 21, 1994 order, sources said, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar wants to ensure that “no sections of women for reasons of social or religious customs are prevented from exercising franchise only because of lack of privacy and other required facilities”.

The 1994 order had made it clear that women polling officers should be appointed in polling stations where there is a large number of women electors, especially ‘

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