Elaborate security for IIIrd phase of urban local bodies poll in UP

Lucknow, Nov 2 (UNI) Elaborate security measures have been taken for the third and final phase of polling for the urban local bodies in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow with a stern directive to the police to prevent violence with an iron hand.

In the first two phaseS large-scale violence and rigging were witnessed in almost all parts of the state. One person was killed and over 70 were injured in poll-related violence in the two phases of polling.

In the final phase, polling for the Nagar Panchayat (Town Area) and Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam would be held along with repolling at all the centres from where complaints of rigging and violence were received by the State Election Commission (SEC), during the first and second phase of polling held on October 28 and 31 .

State Election Commissioner Aparmita Prasad Singh told UNI here today that all preparation for smooth conduct of the last phase of polling have been completed.

''We have given strict instructions to the police to maintain law and order at any cost during the polling'', he said.

Altogether five companies of central forces accompanied with over 100 companies of PAC and 85,000 strong home guard along with district police would ensure a free and fair polling for the elections, which were termed 'semi-final' for all political parties before the assembly polls next year.

About 4.6 million electorate would exercise their franchise in 5478 polling booths to elect 4999 ward members in 410 Nagar Panchayats in the state. Altogether 3015 candidates are in the fray for the chairman of the nagar panchayat while 17171 candidates were trying their luck for the ward members of the nagar panchayat.

Over one million voters would also elect 80 ward members and a Mayor for the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam polls slated tomorrow.

Repolling in 28 polling booths of eight districts including 11 booths of Agra, six in Bareilly and two in Moradabad nagar nigams would also be taken up tommorrow.

The SEC has 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 no minister, MP or legislator were allowed to stay in their respective constitutencies or home districts after the end of the campaign deadline. The order would also be effective for the former ministers, MPs and legisalators.

Counting of votes will be undertaken on November 6.

UNI MB LL RAI1150