The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday requested the Centre to deploy 200 companies of central forces in the state to maintain law and order during counting of votes on May 23.
Barring sporadic incidents of violence, polling in the seven-phased elections for 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh ended on a peaceful note on May 19.
Director General of Police OP Singh made the request on apprehension that 50 per cent of the Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh could witness a cut-throat contest and the winning margin could be very small.
Keeping this mind, the state police are taking no chances on maintaining law and order.
Sources here on Monday said that against the demand of 200 companies of central forces, the state has received 80 companies so far.
Earlier, the central forces were set for departure from the state by May 21 after conducting the seven-phase polls. But now it has been requested by the DGP that the central forces should stay in the state till May 25.
Constituencies where there is apprehension of violence during the counting are mostly in western UP.
Meanwhile, all opposition parties issued a circular to their district and city units asking their cadres to prepare for the counting of votes.
Fearing irregularities during counting of votes, the high commands of the opposition parties have asked their cadres not to be lax in maintaining security of the strongrooms where the electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept.
The party workers have been advised to keep vigil at the strongrooms in eight-hour shifts to prevent tampering with or replacement of EVMs and also during counting as the administration could engage in foul play to facilitate victory of the ruling party candidates.