BHOPAL - The model code of conduct would be relaxed after the second and final phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh April 30, so the state government would be able to resume drought relief works and providing ration cards, the Election Commissioners said Sunday.

The state government had urged the poll panel to allow it to start drought relief measures and work of preparing ration cards after the final phase of polling in the state was over on April 30.

‘The government would be allowed to do drought relief work and prepare ration cards after the final phase of polling,’ said Election Commissioners S.Y.Qureshi and V.S.Sampath, who arrived in the state to oversee preparations for the final phase in which voting will be held in 16 constituencies.

The two told reporters that they were satisfied over polling arrangements and the observance of the poll code and the 286 teams deputed by the poll panel were keeping a strict vigil. Security has also been beefed up in the areas bordering other states so as to check infiltration of criminals and smuggling of illicit liquor.

Under the newly-introduced vulnerability mapping system, the Election Commissioners said 5,659 villages and pockets marked and about 8,000 suspected troublemakers identified. More than 3,000 polling stations were identified as vulnerable and adequate forces were being deployed there.

They also expressed concern over presence of dummy candidates and said their movements were being watched and stringent action would be initiated if they found campaigning.