EC take steps to increase voters turnout in UP polls- BJP

Lucknow, Apr 29 (UNI) The BJP today urged the Election Commission to take some concrete steps to increase voters turnout in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

'' Though the EC has done enough to ensure free and fair polls in the state so far the voter turnout was rather depressing'', said BJP National Vice-President Yashwant Sinha.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Sinha, former External Affairs Minister, said in the last two phases of polling to be held on May 3 and 8, EC should do something about the voters whose name have been struck off from the electoral rolls even after they have Election Photo Identity Cards (EPICs).

'' EC should go in depth to find out the reason for the low turnout'', he said adding that it was unfortunate that in the last five phases the poll percentage had not crossed 50 per cent mark.

Commenting on the fifth phase of polling in the state yesterday, he said though the polling was free and fair, in some places like Pratapgarh, Banda and Chitrakoot, criminals and dacoits intimidated the voters.

Reiterating that BJP will get an absolute majority in the polls and will form the next government in the state, Mr Sinha said there is no question of the party joining hands with other political outfit to form the government in Uttar Pradesh.

UNI