On that day lakhs of devotees, mostly belonging to the scheduled castes, would assemble near Suneri Mahal in the city for a religious function. The problem for the administration is that the devotees' procession would pass through areas where a number of polling booths are located.

``At least six of the booths fall in the procession's route, and it would be a difficult time for us as the procession would start arriving around 11 a.m,'' a district police officer said. Officials said that during that time, the road leading to the booths would be blocked and it would be difficult for voters to move towards the polling booths.

What is also alarming for the officials is that since the district is communally sensitive, a minor incident during the festival could trigger off large scale law and order problems. ``At that time, many people are in an inebriated condition and chances of a flare-up are more,'' officials said.

District officials are gearing up the law and order machinery and additional State Reserve Police Force personnel have been requisitioned for the day.