The Election Commission has ordered the removal of three police officials of Ferozabad district for their alleged partisan behaviour in conduct of their official duties. These officers are allegedly close to the ruling party and include SP City, Additional SP and an Inspector.

Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi was in Agra on Monday to review poll preparations for the first and second phase of Assembly elections in the state.

The CEC said that the Commission is committed to maintaining purity of elections and to deliver free, fair and transparent elections.  He directed officials including police officials to be fearless, unbiased, neutral and independent from any influence whatsoever. 

Zaidi said that the conduct and discharge of duties by the election officials would be under constant watch of the Commission. Anyone found wanting on these standards, Commission will not hesitate to take stern action. 

He said that the Commission will follow zero tolerance and zero delay policy. He said the EC has strong belief that UP will be able to set a new benchmark by providing a totally free, fair, peaceful, credible, transparent, inclusive and participative election.

During his Agra visit, the CEC also met representatives of political parties who demanded level playing field in all aspects of campaigning be ensured and entire electoral process be conducted in a free and fair and peaceful manner. 

Parties demanded the deployment of Central Para Military Forces and urged that flag marches be conducted in sensitive and vulnerable areas.

The parties demanded strict action against people violating Supreme Court ruling on use of religion / cast to influence voters. They also demanded that all parties should get equal opportunity for display of banners and hoardings without discrimination based on first come first serve basis.

The CEC assured party representatives that the Commission will ensure to that the poll process was free, fair and peaceful manner and would look into their problems and issue appropriate directions to the officials wherever needed.

The Commission has directed single window clearance system for permission to parties / candidates.It has also directed Excise department to launch special drives to control distribution of liquor to influence voters and also to detect and seize unauthorised storage of liquor for distribution of voters.

The Commission shall maintain communal harmony in the state and in election going phases. Nobody will be allowed to incite, provoke, people on the basis of religion, caste etc. Commission warns such people and will come down heavily with total emphasis and power at its command.

The EC will keep an eye on social media to prevent misuse of these platforms to spread hatred and misinformation. People can upload such complaints at 9454400101 or Whatsap surveillance centre of state police after which strict legal action will be initiated.

As per EC dossiers, on January 1 there were a total over 14.13 crore voters in the state.  Percentage of photo coverage in electoral rolls is nearly 100 percent and EPIC coverage is 99.9 percent.