Two dozen central observers deployed for Phase I of UP poll

Lucknow, Apr 5 (UNI) In view of the sensitivity of the first phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, the Election Commission has rushed 24 additional central observers in the 62 seats by diverting them from Phase-III polls to be held on April 18.

Of these 24 additional central observers, two will be specially deputed in Bharthana seat from where chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is contesting.

State additional CEO Mritunjay Narain here today said these central observers have been diverted from Phase III and they will report in their respective assembly constitutuencies by tomorrow evening.

He said these two dozen observers have been placed in the sensitive constituencies to monitor the polling process.

EC has already identified 35 assembly seats of the first phase as hyper sensitive.

At present, EC has deployed one general observers each in the 62 assembly seats, besides about 90 probationers Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers receiving training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Administrative Academy at Mussoorie, Uttarakhand will work as 'observors' of the commission in phase one in the Agra division.

The EC will also engage 100 'micro observers' drawn from state level officials of Uttarakhand to monitor the polling process in Phase-I. These 'micro observers' will also be deployed in Agra division to oversee the polling process.

UNI