The decision, which will be sent through the home department, was taken at a meeting of senior police officials in the state.

The meeting also suggested that the elections should be held over three phases, with the gap between each being at least six days, said a senior police official. 

About 75 percent of the 17,135 polling booths in the state have been declared sensitive because of the threat of violence by Maoist guerrillas.

"In the four years since the formation of the state, Maoists have spread their tentacles further and their activity has increased. These things should be kept in mind while announcing the dates and providing security forces," said an official.

--Indo-Asian News Service