The National Council of State yesterday approved the deployment of troops across the country 48 hours before elections to avert violence, Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of the Police has said. Mr. Ringim said at a briefing at the Presidential Villa after a meeting of security heads that the deployment of the military, regular and mobile police officers and other security agents is expected to deflect any political, religious and ethnic inspired violence during the polls, which is expected to begin on Saturday. - 234next