The Election Commission today said it will keep an eye on the role of police in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections slated next year, besides focusing on the use of money and muscle power.
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, after his meeting with the representatives of political parties, also said that holding free and fair election in the state would not be a problem if unbiased action is taken at the police station level.
"During meeting with representatives of political parties, apprehensions were raised that police force might be misused in favour of some party. We will keep an eye on the police," Zaidi told reporters here.
"In the coming elections, our main focus will be on police stations, the Election Commission's (EC) eye will be at the police stations as the EC feels that if unbiased action is taken, there will be no problem in holding free and fair polls," he said.
The CEC said the Commission had also received complaints about sub-inspectors being made the incharge of the police stations in place of inspector-level officers, and they take "biased" actions.
"The EC has directed that the charge of police stations should be given to inspector-level officers," he said.
To a question that over 50 per cent police stations were being headed by the officers of a particular community, Zaidi said posting at police stations would be made as per the Election Commission's policy.
On the request of political parties that central forces should be deployed before the nominations to check incidents in which candidates were prevented from filing nominations, the CEC said the EC would try for their deployment in places where there is such apprehensions.
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Zaidi said the EC, in its meeting with the administrative officers here yesterday, has asked them to prepare a database of incidents in which voters were threatened in previous elections.
On the allegations of political parties that some officers were working under the influence of ruling party, he said they would be taken care of and attempts would be made to check the use of money power with the help of enforcement agencies.
On the state government's announcement of providing smartphones to the people, Zaidi said "our work begins after the start of elections process. We cannot say anything about it before that".
He said some new provisions have been added to the Model Code of Conduct about what could be included in the election manifesto by political parties.
"Political parties will have to submit their manifesto to the EC and it will see whether they comply with the provisions or not," he added.
On the alleged Kairna exodus, Zaidi said that detailed discussion were held about such incidents from DGP and Chief Secretary.
"We will see such incidents from the perspective of elections and not from law and order angle," he added.
Replying to a question, Zaidi said for 2017 Assembly elections, the EC has set a target of 70-76 per cent polling in the state.
About the dates of election, the CEC said "the EC has time till May 28 (to finish the election process). Generally examinations are held in February and March (in the state). We will take care of all the aspects before deciding the dates."
He said in UP, there are over 13.85 crore voters and 99.9 per cent of them have Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs).
