Parties wary of free, fair polls in UP: CEC

Lucknow, Sep 27: Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi on Tuesday said political parties in Uttar Pradesh were wary about free and fair assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference on the last day of his three-day visit to Lucknow, he said he had discussed the issue with police officials.

All parties want a free and fair poll and "we are doing all that is possible to ensure" this, he added.

He said the Election Commission had held threadbare meetings with state officials, district magistrates and the police.

Zaidi also said that all political parties, barring the ruling Samajwadi Party, felt that the assembly polls, due early next year, won't be fair and free if the state police alone was involved.

Opposition parties want central forces deployed during the polls. He also said that all parties were unanimous that the use of money and muscle power in the elections should be ended.

Zaidi said biased officials at all levels would be removed before the elections. He set a target of 70-75 per cent voting in Uttar Pradesh.

The poll panel will hold special campaigns for voter registration on October 8, 9, 22 and 23.

IANS