12 women police constables injured in accident in poll-bound UP

Moradabad, Mar 3 (ANI): Around 12 women police constables were injured in an accident in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad District on Saturday, as they headed to perform their duties during the last phase of assembly elections in the state.

According to security personnel, about 30 women police constables were seated in a mini-bus when it overturned on a sharp turn.

The injured were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital.

"We were going for our poll duties and our bus on a sharp turn suddenly overturned. It was a small bus and we were about 30-35 girls and I was sitting on the corner, therefore, I am more wounded," said Radha Rajput, an injured constable.

According to reports, three of the constables, who suffered slightly serious injuries were admitted to the hospital, while the rest were discharged after being given first-aid.

Voting for the seventh phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls began at 7 a.m. today and will continue till 5 p.m.

Over 1.82 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in this phase to decide the fate of 962 candidates.

The final phase would cover Bijnore, Moradabad, Bheem Nagar, Rampur, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Badaun, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri.

A total of 18,927 polling stations have been set up and the Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for this phase.

Security has been stepped up on the last day of polls in the state with both paramilitary forces and armed constabulary deployed.

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 and sixth phases of polling occurred on February 8, 11, 15, 19, 23 and 28 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)