BJP urges EC to deploy Paramilitary forces during counting

Lucknow, May 13:

today urged the Election Commission to deploy Central Paramilitary forces and install closed circuit cameras at the counting stations, apprehending rigging during counting of votes by SP in Uttar Pradesh.

State BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai told mediapersons here that Samajwadi Party will try to make its last attempt to clinch the "lost battle" by rigging during the counting process. Urging the Commission to be extra careful particularly on eight seats of Mainpuri, Etawah, Kannauj, Ferozabad, Farukkhabad, Azamgarh, Ghosi, and Mau, Bajpai said while central forces should be deployed inside the counting centre, state police should be posted in the periphery.

He said the entire counting process to take place on May 16 must be videographed and CCTVs should be installed on the compound. "Every table should have a Central government employee as micro-observer of the Commission. It will be good if central government or bank employees are roped in for the counting process," he said.

The BJP Chief alleged that state police did not remain impartial during the voting process and tried to affect the voting process at some locations under the influence of the state government. The Election Commission has already declared voting on 11 booths at Muzzafarnagar, Badaun and Firozabad Parliamentary constituencies as null and void and repolling is going on here today.

PTI