EC officials hold meeting with CEOs of poll-bound states
New Delhi (PTI): Senior Election Commission (EC) officials held a "preparatory" meeting on Monday with the chief electoral officers (CEOs) of four states and a Union Territory that are going to Assembly polls in the coming months.
Officials said the CEOs of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry discussed poll preparedness with the EC officials looking after the election management division.
Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg chaired the meeting where issues such as the requirement of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and polling personnel were discussed.
The terms of the legislative assemblies of the four states and Puducherry end on different dates in May and June.
While the EC is holding a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters' lists in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry, a separate special revision of the electoral rolls is underway in Assam.
As part of the SIR, the EC has rationalised polling stations in these states. Now, the maximum number of voters per polling station has been capped at 1,200 from 1,500.
It would mean smaller queues of voters on polling day.
It has also resulted in an increase in the number of polling stations as also the personnel required to man those.
Bihar was the first state where polling stations were rationalised.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
