Security beefed up for first phase of UP polls

Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 7 (ANI): With the stage now set for the first phase of the high voltage Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the district administration here has beefed up security at various polling centers.

Superintendent of Police R. K. Bhardwaj, who inspected the preparations at the polling booth in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki District today, said all preparations have been made to combat any untoward incident.

"We have sufficient force in our district. All the forces are deployed in the polling booths. We are fully prepared to combat any damage that will be done to the EVM machines. District police is committed to ensure that polls are conducted in a free and fair manner," said Bhardwaj.

The District Magistrate of Barabanki, Vikas Gothalwal, on his part expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements.

"We have done all preparations and we have enough EVM machines in reserve so that we can resolve any kind of eventuality occurring at that moment. EVM will be send with the polling party itself," said Gothalwal.

Polling for the first phase of the high voltage Uttar Pradesh assembly polls for 55 seats in 10 districts would be held on Wednesday. The fate of 862 candidates will be decided in this phase.

More than 1.70 lakh electorate would cast their votes in this phase of polling to be held in Sitapur, Barabanki, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Basti.

The polls in Uttar Pradesh are being viewed as an opportunity for major parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

Polls in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted between February 8 and March 3. The counting of votes will take place on March 6.

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