Poll panel cautions officials about Uttar Pradesh communal clashes
New Delhi : Disturbed by communal clashes in Lucknow and Kanpur ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the Election Commission Tuesday asked poll officials to be "extra careful" and try to have advance information on people trying to foment sectarian trouble.
"The Commission cautioned the officials about possible communal violence. We have cautioned them to be extra careful and gather enough information in advance," Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami told reporters after addressing over 200 observers to be deployed for the last three phases of polls.
He said the poll officials have also been told to look at vulnerable areas and absentee voters.
Gopalaswami brushed aside charges by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav that "indiscriminate" mass transfers of senior officials in the state by the commission led to the sectarian violence in Lucknow and Kanpur.
Asked whether the commission was satisfied with the security arrangements, he said: "Wait and see how things move. At this moment, the situation is under control".
The chief election commissioner also refused to comment on the chief minister's appeal to electorate to vote for him to save him from going to jail.
