Tight security in place for first phase of UP polls on Wednesday

New Delhi/Lucknow, Feb.7 (ANI): Tight security is expected for the first phase of the seven-phased assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh that is to take place on Wednesday.

About 862 candidates will be contesting for 55 seats in 10 districts. Over 1.70 lakh voters will be casting their votes tomorrow in Sitapur, Barabanki, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Basti districts.

The ruling Bahujan Samaj Party, the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party will be engaged in a no holds barred fight for 403 assembly seats.

According to Election Commission and state government sources, over two lakh policemen, including 780 companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed for Wednesday's elections.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer Mrityunjay Narain said that for the first phase, 6,855 polling stations have identified as critical.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav are scheduled to adress rallies in Allahabad later in the day.Allahabad is going for polls in the third phase on February 15.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi will address a rally in the Karchana area of the city on Wednesday.

BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati will also address a rally in the city on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the filing of nominations for 40 assembly constituencies in Goa has started.The last day for the filing of nominations is February 13.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on February 14, while the last date for the withdrawal of a candidate's nomination has been set for February 16.

Polling in the state will take place on March 3. (ANI)