UP, EC gear up for assembly poll

Lucknow, Feb 9 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) and the Uttar Pradesh government have started gearing up for the assembly election in the state.

A delegation of top state government officials has returned to the state capital after holding a meeting with the EC in New Delhi.

Issues relating to law and order and the quantum of central forces that UP would require for the democratic exercise were discussed at length.

Although the EC has so far not announced dates, sources in the state government claim a formal announcement could be made by the end of this month.

The first phase of assembly election is likely on April 21 and the process is likely to end by the middle of May 2007.

Following pressure by the opposition parties to conduct free and fair polls, the EC might decide holding it in six phases, the sources said.

While the initial three phases could be held in April, the remaining phases could be held in May. So far, assembly election in the state have been held in three phases.

While Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had written to the EC requesting to hold elections in February itself, the constitutional body was yet to take the final decision on the issue.

Opposition parties, on the other hand, have requested the Centre to hold elections in UP under President's rule to ensure impartiality.

Opposition has charged the state government with distributing gun licences to people with a leaning towards the SP. Opposition claims the weapons would be used against their workers during the polls.

Meanwhile, the EC has sought several details pertaining to the crime and Naxalite situation from the state government.

Figures on the number of home-made weapon factories and illicit liquor manufacturing units have been sought from the DGP, who was part of the UP delegation which met the EC on Wednesday.

The sources maintained the EC has also asked for details on the number of criminals on parole and the number of criminals arrested with explosives.

These figures would essentially help the EC chalk out strategy to deal with anti-social elements, who could help various political parties during the election.

The EC has also sought UP's requirement of the Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) during the elections. The CPMF units, at present deployed in Uttarakhand, Manipur and Punjab on poll duties, could be deployed in UP by April.

UNI