Agartala, Feb 25 (IANS): Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland have been told to tighten security on their international and inter-state borders ahead of the vote count in the three states Feb 28.
"Security along the borders will be further tightened in view of the counting of votes," an Election Commission official told IANS Monday.
The union home ministry has also directed the states to take steps to seal the international border by deploying additional Border Security Force and Assam Rifles troopers.
The BSF guards India's border with Bangladesh while Assam Rifles is posted along the Myanmar border.
Four northeastern states -- Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam -- share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh. Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,640-km border with Myanmar.
Most of the international border is unfenced and runs through dense forests and mountainous terrain, making it porous.
The official said the poll panel has asked the states to ensure three-tier security around the counting centres.
Central paramilitary troopers will be posted inside the counting centres, while other security forces will guard the outer areas.
Assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland, having 60 seats each, were held Feb 14 (in Tripura) and Feb 23.