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Tight security for final round of UP panchayat polls

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

The Uttar Pradesh government has tightened security for the fourth and final round of polling for panchayat elections in the state today.

While VIPs have been barred from ‘loitering’ around polling centres, people will be disallowed from carrying even lathis to polling centres. "Carrying a lathi is quite common in most parts of the state. But, we cannot take chances,’’ state election commissioner Yashpal Singh said here yesterday.

Singh has also directed all district magistrates to ensure that people with doubtful backgrounds and those out on bail or on parole must not be permitted near polling centres.

"Ministers and public representatives can only go to polling stations to vote," Singh clarified.

The polls are to be held in 174 blocks in 71 out of the state's 83 districts. At least 1.84 crore people are expected to exercise their franchise to elect 1,57,103 representative at the grassroots level. There are about 3,54,108 candidates in the fray and polling will be held at 29,682 stations.

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