Security beefed up ahead of counting of votes in UP

Allahabad/Moradabad/Jhansi, Mar 5 (ANI): With barely few hours left for the electoral verdict in Uttar Pradesh, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the counting, which begins at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Prakash D, said Article 144 of the Indian Constitution has been declared in the city and every instruction of the election commission would be followed to the letter.

"Article 144 of the Constitution has already been applied in the area and as per the directions of the election commission any victory parade is also prohibited. All candidates and political parties have been passed this instruction and rules. The whole area has been divided into sectors and zones to easily maintain law and order because after the results are announced the festival of Holi will be celebrated. The police of Allahabad city is alert for the festival too and I am confident that the after the results are announced peace will prevail in the city," he told the media in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad city.

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad city, District Magistrate, Sameer Verma listed the preparations made by the security forces for the counting day.

"The arrangements made for the security of the strong room are very competent. Paramilitary forces will be stationed inside the room and the state police will be positioned in the outside the cordon," said Verma.

"Also 24 hours CCTV cameras will be monitoring the entrance of the strong room and we have also arranged for videography. One gazetted officer and police official will be on a 24 hour shift to monitor these EVMs (electronic voting machines)," he added.

Armed paramilitary personnel could also be seen outside the counting rooms in the city of Jhansi.

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.

The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh phases of polling occurred on February 8, 11, 15, 19, 23, 28 respectively and March 3.

The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)