Poll panel orders more security for May 7 election in UP

The Election Commission (EC) has ordered the deployment of more security personnel for the fifth phase of polling in 15 parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh May 7, officials said Tuesday.

With several incidents of booth capturing in the third and fourth rounds of balloting in the state and apprehensions about further rigging by major political parties, the EC has directed that 300 companies of central forces will oversee the May 7 election in the state.

Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha has asked for enhanced security cover at all the polling stations at a meeting held with the security agencies, a senior official told IANS. More security personnel are now available for the remaining two phases of election in the state as in most parts of the country, the polls are over. The EC can now use them optimally, DIG A. Satish Ganesh told IANS.

With some seats being located in the naxal affected regions of the eastern Uttar Pradesh in the May 7 polls, more security cover is provided to the polling officials on duty, Ganesh said.  Many opposition leaders, including BJP general secretary Amit Shah and BSP chief Mayawati were anxious of the ruling Samajwadi Party over using muscle power to rig the polls. They have demanded deployment of more central forces during the remaining phases of the election May 7 and 12.