Lucknow, March 1 (IANS) All polling booths in Uttar Pradesh will remain under the direct supervision of central paramilitary force, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N. Gopalswamy declared here Thursday.
He also said no one would be allowed to vote without a photo identity card, which, he said, would be issued to at least 95 percent of the voters before the polling dates.
Addressing a press conference at the end of an overall review of the arrangements ahead of the April 7-May 8 state assembly poll, Gopalswamy said: "Each one of the 109,721 polling booths across the state would have central paramilitary force personnel to overcome any confusion about categorisation of booths as sensitive or hyper-sensitive."
"This time, all booths would be treated at par and receive equal attention of the commission," he added.
"The same pattern had been followed during the last election in Bihar that helped to ensure a free and fair poll in the state; we are confident of ensuring a similar free and fair election in Uttar Pradesh as well."
In addition to this, electronic voting machines across the state will be equipped with a device that would keep its memory intact for five years. "That would prevent any kind of fudging," the CEC added.
To facilitate voting by the visually challenged, the Election Commission has also provided Braille on the electronic voting machines. According to the CEC, this was also being done for the first time.
The seven-phased elections to the 403-member state assembly would commence April 7 and conclude May 8. The new assembly would be constituted before May 14, when the term of the current assembly expires.