A team of Election Commission officials led by Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi took stock of preparedness for the fifth and sixth phase of assembly elections in Bihar which are to be held on 9th and 20th of November. 35 constituencies will go to polls in the fifth phase and 26 in the sixth phase. The Election Commission team visited Bhojpur and held discussions with district officials about the deployment of force ,location of booths, sanitization of areas dominated by Maoists and deployment of poll officials Mr. zutsi also held discussion with DMs and SPs of Gaya, Nalanda and Nawada to ensure free and fair polls. AIR patna correspondent reports that peaceful conduct of elections in the next two phases is a challenge for the Election Commission ,given that majority of the 61 constituencies are infested by Maoists. . Out of these 28 constituencies are Naxal infested. Most of the Naxal violence has been reported from these areas in the past. In view of this the state administration has tightened security arrangements in these constituencies. A massive manhunt is on at the possible hideouts of the Maoists. The railway has also stepped up security arrangements in those trains which are passing through Naxal affected areas. Mail and express trains are being escorted with the help of pilot engines.