Deputy EC Vijay Deo reviews preparations in UP

Deputy Election Commissioner Vijay Deo on Thursday said voters of the Indian Defence services “for the first time” would be allowed to use e-postal ballots, after he reviewed the preparations in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

“For the first time, voters of the Indian Defence services would be allowed to use e-postal ballots and all police stations have been made the centre points of any criminal act during the election period and SHOs would be held responsible for it,” he told reporters here after meeting state officials.

“The Election Model Code of Conduct would be strictly enforced in the state within 24 hours of the announcement of poll dates and the Election Commission would not allow any kind of relaxation in it,” he said.

Directives have also been issued to make necessary preparations for the disabled at the polling booths, he said.

Deo, who has held similar meetings in Varanasi, Allahabad and Kanpur, said he has been apprised of booths having Assured Minimum Facility, including toilets, drinking water and electricity.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Election Commission, said all political parties shall have to submit three copies of their election manifesto within three days of their release to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state.