Elaborate security in place for ph I of UP local bodies' polls

Lucknow, Oct 27 (UNI) Elaborate security arrangements have been made for tomorrow's crucial first phase polling of the three-tier urban local bodies elections in the state.

Altogether 30 companies of central forces accompanied by over 100 companies of PAC and 85,000 strong home guard along with district police would ensure a free and fair polling which has been termed as semi-final for all political parties before the much important assembly elections early next year.

State Election Commissioner Aparmita Prasad Singh told UNI here today that all arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the elections to be held in three phases on October 28, 31 and November 3.

He said SEC would strictly monitor the deployment of central forces and the activities of the higher politicians to ensure that there was no rigging in the polls.

Yesterday, the SEC had banned entry of all ministers, Members of Parliament and legislators in their respective constitutencies in order to conduct free and fair polls.

In its directive issued to all district authorities, the SEC has asked them to ensure that no minister, MP and legislator was allowed to stay in their respective constitutencies or home districts after the end of the campaign deadline.

The order would be effective for the former ministers, MPs and legisalators also.

Additional election commissioner Vinay Priya Dubey said only those political leaders would be allowed to stay in their constituencies, who are valid voters for the poll. ''But, these politicians would have to ensure that they stay indoors, except for going to cast their vote on the polling day.'' The SEC has ordered no outsider would be allowed to stay in the respective wards during the election period, while the election agent would not be allowed to carry mobile phones on the election day.

The Commission has already restricted any government or state government employee, legislator, MP, minister, criminal background person and representative of rural or urban local bodies to become election agent of any candidate in the election.

Mr Dubey said all district authorities have been asked to strictly implement the SEC directives.

SEC would hold the polling for Nagar Palika Parishad (NPP) in the first phase tomorrow. Altogether over 9 million electorate would exercise their franchise in 9,758 booths to elect 4,425 ward members in 167 nagar palika parishad spread in 56 districts.

Polling in NPP in 14 districts would be held alongwith second phase due to 'Chhat' festival.

Election for the Nagar Nigam would be held on October 31 and for Nagar Panchayat (town area) on November 3. Counting of votes for all the phases would be held on November 6.

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