SAPTARI: The district administration has heightened security vigilance in Saptari district with the completion of all the preparations for second phase of elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies scheduled for coming Thursday, December 7.

The twin elections are taking place in 45 districts including Saptari. Security in the polling centers and for voters, political leaders, candidates and cadres has been strengthened.

According to Saptari's chief election officer Harish Chandra Dhungana, election officers and security persons have already reached all the polling stations in the district with required election materials.

The total number of voters in the district, which has four members to the House of Representatives and eight to the State Assembly, is 346,214.

A total of 55 candidates are in race for the federal parliament election while 97 are competing for the State Assembly.

Most of the polling stations in this Tarai district are highly sensitive in terms of security. Of 295 polling stations, 207 are categorised as highly sensitive and 88 sensitive.

Further security measures have been taken in view of the election, said Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Singh. Security has been tightened in the polling stations as most of them lie close to the Nepal-India border.

However, political parties and candidates here have breached the silence period code of conduct as they continue to seek votes reaching people's doorsteps.

The silence period for the second phase elections has been in force since Monday midnight.