Two injured during local body polls in UP

Lucknow, Oct 28: At least two people were injured in a group clash at Aliganj in Etah district today during polling in the first phase of the three-tier urban local body election in Uttar Pradesh.

Police resorted to fire in air to disperse the mob after they torched two police vehicles.

Police sources here said the clash broke out between the ruling Samajwadi Party and BJP supporters over forceful voting by a candidate of the ruling party.

Sources said the district BJP president, along with one of his supporter's were injured in the clash.

Meanwhile, polling for 167 Nagar Palika Parishad(NPP) to elect over 4425 ward members was under way peacefully since 0800 hours.

State Election Commission (SEC) sources here said the polling was going on peacefully with reports of incidents of violence in some areas.

Over 9 million electorate would exercise their franchise in 9,758 booths in the first phase of elections in 56 districts.

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

The SEC had already banned entry of all ministers, Members of Parliament and legislators in their respective constituencies 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 his respective constitutency or home district after the end of the campaign deadline.

The order would also effective for former ministers, MPs and legislators also.

Polling in NPP in 14 districts would be held along with second phase due to 'Chhath' 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.

UNI