EC orders videography of campaigning by 'shady' candidates

Lucknow, Apr 3 (UNI) Election Commission, in order to prevent use of muscle power to influence the voters in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, have ordered intensive videography of candidates with a criminal background.

''We have specific information about the candidates with criminal antecedents or family members of criminals contesting the assembly polls and orders have been issued to video record their campaign,'' state chief electoral officer Anuj Kumar Bishnoi said here today.

He said EC would not allow anyone to influence the voters or create terror amongst them for electoral gains.

The CEO was replying to a specific question about the preparation made by the EC to counter the reign of terror among the voters in several constituencies where candidates with a criminal background or their family members are contesting the polls.

Bal Kumar, brother of dreaded dacoit Dadua is contesting from Patti assembly seat in Pratapgarh district while mother of another Bundelkhand dacoit Thokia is constesting from Naraini seat.

Referring to the communally sensitive districts in the state, Mr Bishnoi said an 'alert' has been sounded in such districts and the authorities have been asked to take all necessary precautions to counter untoward incidents.

He said all the 657 companies of central paramilitary forces have reached the state and were being deployed accordingly.

The EC has also issued a fresh directive cautioning the authorities to strictly deal with people found in possession of Election Photo Identity Cards(EPICs) of other persons.

''Those found with EPICs of others would be prosecuted,'' the CEO maintained.

UNI