Today is last day for filing nominations for first phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. A total of 523 candidates have filed their nominations. Polling will be held on 8th of next month in 55 seats spread over 10 districts in this phase.In the second phase elections, the total number of candidates has gone up to 62. In this phase voting will be held in 59 assembly segments spread over 9 districts on February 11. AIR Lucknow correspondent reports that the Election Commission has refused to reconsider its order to suitably cover the statues of BSP chief Mayawati and the party's symbol ‘elephants’ constructed in public places for the duration of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.The Commission has said that there are standing instructions of the Commission that images and photographs of Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers and other political functionaries who are active in public life should not be displayed in government buildings and premises as that would have the effect of disturbing the level playing field.The statues depicting any party symbol and put up in public places at the cost of public money would also come in this category.The Commission has said that the contention that the statues of elephants as erected are different from the election symbol of BSP is not acceptable. In that case, other Political Parties would be in a position to seek allotment of the Elephant symbol in different postures.