Lucknow, Mar 13 (UNI) The seven-phase assembly elections process started in Uttar Pradesh today with the Governor issuing a notification for the first phase polls to 62 seats in 13 districts where polling would be held on April 7.
Notification for by-elections to Bilaur Lok Sabha seat was also issued along with the Assembly polls.
Nomination papers can be filed till March 20. Scrutiny of papers would be done on March 21 and nominations can be withdrawn till March 23.
''All preparations for the smooth conduct of elections have already been completed in the districts where polls are slated in the first phase,'' state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi told UNI here.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami reviewed the poll preparations for the first phase on Saturday and directed the officials to ensure smooth conduct of the polls at any cost.
The Election Commission (EC) has also issued several directives, including strict action against violation of model code of conduct and misuse of vehicles by the political parties.
EC has also put restrictions on the number of people allowed inside the Returning Officer (RO) room by each candidate during the filing of nomination papers.
Now only five people including the candidate would be allowed to enter the RO room during filing of the nominations while only three vehicles will be allowed near the nomination centre.
This time, the EC has made mandatory for the voters to show their Election Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) during polling and no state police would be on duty inside the polling station.
Over 650 companies of the Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) would be deployed during the UP polls, along with the PAC and state police.
Meanwhile, except for the ruling Samajwadi Party, no political parties have yet announced their candidates for the elections. So far, the SP has only announced candidates for 37 seats out of the 62 at stake in the first phase.
However, it seems that the political parties will finalise their lists by this week. The BSP is expected to release its first list of candidates this afternoon while the Congress and BJP will do the same later this week in New Delhi.
MORE UNI
Notification for by-elections to Bilaur Lok Sabha seat was also issued along with the Assembly polls.
Nomination papers can be filed till March 20. Scrutiny of papers would be done on March 21 and nominations can be withdrawn till March 23.
''All preparations for the smooth conduct of elections have already been completed in the districts where polls are slated in the first phase,'' state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi told UNI here.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami reviewed the poll preparations for the first phase on Saturday and directed the officials to ensure smooth conduct of the polls at any cost.
The Election Commission (EC) has also issued several directives, including strict action against violation of model code of conduct and misuse of vehicles by the political parties.
EC has also put restrictions on the number of people allowed inside the Returning Officer (RO) room by each candidate during the filing of nomination papers.
Now only five people including the candidate would be allowed to enter the RO room during filing of the nominations while only three vehicles will be allowed near the nomination centre.
This time, the EC has made mandatory for the voters to show their Election Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) during polling and no state police would be on duty inside the polling station.
Over 650 companies of the Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) would be deployed during the UP polls, along with the PAC and state police.
Meanwhile, except for the ruling Samajwadi Party, no political parties have yet announced their candidates for the elections. So far, the SP has only announced candidates for 37 seats out of the 62 at stake in the first phase.
However, it seems that the political parties will finalise their lists by this week. The BSP is expected to release its first list of candidates this afternoon while the Congress and BJP will do the same later this week in New Delhi.
MORE UNI
Oneindia Login