Apprehending large scale law and order problems during the forthcoming Assembly election in Bihar, major political parties on Sunday appealed to the Election Commission to deploy central forces at all booths in the state.

"We have urged the EC to deploy central forces at all polling booths for conduct of a free and fair polls later this year. It does not matter as to in how many phases the polls take place," JD(U) leaders Mithilesh Kumar Singh and Ashok Kumar Singh told reporters after submitting a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi here.

It could be in three, four or even five phases but the poll authorities must ensure adequate deployment of para military forces at each booth, they said.

JD(U)'s ally BJP, however, urged the EC to consider holding the Assembly polls in one phase, if possible. But if it decides to hold the polls in multiple phases, poll dates should not clash with festivals, BJP leader Kiran Ghai said.

The BJP also asked the EC to set right various anomalies in the voters lists and said alternative proof of identity should be allowed for larger voters' turn out.

It accused the ruling coalition of influencing the classification of booths as sensitive and super sensitive to favour voting in its favour.

The BSP also submitted memorandum to the EC seeking adequate deployment of central forces in the Dalit-dominated areas to enable them to exercise their franchise without fear.

The political parties' hearing with the EC team headed by Quereshi lasted for about four hours.

The EC will review the revision of the electoral list, distribution of the electronic photo identity card to the eligible voters and other issues with the senior police and administrative officials tomorrow.

The opposition RJD/LJP alliance sought deployment of the central forces at all polling booths so that the voters of poor and backward communities should not be browbeaten by the 'muscle-men of the ruling coalition'.

They also urged the EC to remove certain officers, transferred recently in their posts recently, from poll duties.

Publication of paid news in a section of the media found mention in the memorandum of the JD(U) and the CPI, which urged the EC to monitor such practice.

The Congress, in its memorandum to the EC, said the classification of some booths as sensitive or super sensitive should be removed and all polling booths be treated alike for putting in place security and administrative measures for conduct of free and fair polls.