Security stepped up for fifth phase of UP polls

Kanpur/Etawah/Jhansi, Feb 22 (ANI): With Uttar Pradesh entering the fifth phase of assembly polls tomorrow, the concerned authorities have stepped up security measures to avoid any untoward incident.

At a polling office in Kanpur, authorities were seen queuing outside the assistance booths with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as they prepared for polling day.

"Our preparations are complete and ready for polling. As you can see polling parties are moving towards their assigned booths in the district along with the teams of security personnel. Police constables have been deployed for the security of polling officials and an EVM in every vehicle," said Hari Om, the district magistrate.

Election officials were seen seeking assistance from technical staff deployed on duty as they geared up to leave for their respective polling stations.

Poll authorities checked EVMs and locked them up in the safety of metallic trunks at the polling stations.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Etawah, where the deployed security officials appeared to be all set to tackle any untoward incident.

"Critical booths have been defined after the mapping of sensitive areas and clusters of officials have been formed. Adequate number of security teams has been deployed which will carry regular patrolling so that a peaceful environment for polling is created," said Vidya Shankar Singh, the city magistrate.

A large number of security personnel from police officers to home guards and paramilitary officers have been deployed across the state in order to ensure a smooth execution of the polls.

"About 51 companies and two platoons have been received by us and they have been deployed. Similarly 7.2 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have arrived and they have been assigned the task of maintaining law and order. Other than this we have received 3,446 home guards from different districts including our own officials who have been included in the security arrangements," said PK Tiwari, Superintendent of Police (Rural).

1.56 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise for 49 seats, which is spread over 13 districts of the state including Ferozabad, Kashiram Nagar, Etah, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Ramabainagar, Kanpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba on Thursday.

The fate of several stalwarts including BJP leader Uma Bharati will be decided in this phase.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major political parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state. he first, second, third and fourth phases of polling occurred on February 8, February 11, February 15 and February 19, respectively.

A new 403-member state assembly will be elected in March. The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)