Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh:
In order to ensure free and fair elections in the riot-hit Muzaffarnagar district in western Uttar Pradesh, paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers in all 764 polling centres.
Special arrangements have been made for riot victims in the first phase of elections in the state on April 10, District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma told PTI in Muzaffarnagar today.
As many as 66 companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed in all 764 polling centres, housing 1,534 polling booths, in the riot-hit district to ensure free elections.
As many as 15,78,046 people will exercise their franchise in the district, Sharma said.
The riot victims would be given full security to vote in their native places in the district.
"Of the 27,198 people displaced from their native places, 3,259 have been enrolled as voters at places where they have been rehabilitated.
"The remaining would be provided full security so that they can cast their vote at polling booths where they are registered as voters," Sharma said.
As many as 19 candidates are contesting elections from the Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha constituency.