In Uttar Pradesh the Elections Commission has directed the state government to transfer 259 Block Development Officers from their present posting with immediate effect. The Commission has taken this decision in view of their over stay in the districts.

AIR Lucknow correspondent reports that the Election Commission has lodged 43 FIRs in different cases for violation of Model Code of Conduct and has acted in more than 2 lakh cases where guidelines were being flouted.

257 cases of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct have been registered after announcement of the state assembly elections.

Poll officials have seized 936 illegal and preventive actions have been taken against about 2 lakh people.

The Chief Election Officer of the state has said that more than 5000 licensed fire arms have been surrendered and 1260 illegal firearms manufacturing factories have been seized.

Meanwhile Police have seized over 2 crore 50 lakh rupees and arrested about 10 people from Ghaziabad, Faizabad, Bareily, Meerut and Varanasi districts.

Police have handed over the cash money to Income Tax department for further investigation.

In the meantime, Chief Election Commissioner Dr. SY Quraishi and other two Election Commissioners including BS Sampat and HS Brahma will be reaching Lucknow today to take stock of poll preparedness.

The Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha has said that during their two day visit the full Election Commission would hold talks with the representatives of all political parties.

After this, a meeting will be held with the officials from the districts where election is scheduled in the first four phases. The EC team will hold meeting with the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary Home and DGP afterwards.

Meanwhile all major opposition parties from the state have demanded immediate removal of officers allegedly working in favour of the ruling party.

Political parties have submitted a memorandum to the Commission and the State Governor in this regard.