Bijnor: Bijnor will witness Lok Sabha elections in three phases. It has more than 1,200 ‘critical’ and 174 ‘vulnerable’ booths.While Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency will go to the polls in the first phase with eight other districts of western UP on April 11, the Nagina seat (reserved) will go to the polls in the second phase on April 18. Moradabad with its area including Badhapur assembly constituency of Bijnor will go to the polls in the third phase on April 23.In a meeting held a day after the Election Commission of India’s poll schedule announcement, the officials revealed there are 1,274 ‘critical’ and 174 ‘vulnerable’ polling booths in the district.Addressing a press conference, chief development officer, Praveen Mishra, said, “Bijnor district includes three parliamentary segments including Bijnor, Nagina and Moradabad. Bijnor Lok Sabha seat had two assembly segments - Bijnor and Chandpur of Bijnor district, Meerapur and Purkazi of Muzaffarnagar and Hastinapur of Meerut district’s assembly segments. Nagina – with five assembly segments - includes Nagina, Nahtaur, Najibabad, Noorpur and Dhampur. The third, Moradabad Lok Sabha seat, also includes Bijnor’s Badhapur assembly segment. Bijnor district will witness three phases.”Bijnor parliamentary is a historic region. It is famous for the Mahabharat circuit and also has been BSP leader Mayawati’s stronghold from where she had begun her political debut.Mishra further said, “We have started preparations for conducting free and fair polls in the district. Around 1,536 history-sheeters have been shortlisted. Police will keep a close watch on them. Besides all the notorious people will be served notices by administration and police department. If anyone tries to disturb peace here, he will be punished. Around 72 flying squads have been formed to keep a tab on the poll activities. Also, 238 sector magistrates, 32 zone magistrate and 72 statistics magistrates have been given charge to conduct the polls.”“There are around 15.74 lakh votes in Bijnor parliamentary seat, 16.51 lakh in Nagina parliamentary segment. Besides, Badhapur assembly segment (part of Moradabad) has around 3.47 lakh votes. Nominations will be filed on March 25 for first phase, on March 26 for second phase and April 4 for third phase. Security has been fixed for around Rs 25,000 for ‘General’ and ‘OBC’ candidate while Rs 12,500 for ‘SC’,” Mishra added.Moreover, the administration has started removing posters, banners and hoardings from the city with the code of conduct now in place.Despite the election commission sounding poll bugle, political parties have not disclosed their cards as yet. Only the BSP has inducted former MLA Mohammad Iqbal as in-charge for Bijnor parliamentary seat and former MLA Girish Chand for Nagina. However, their candidature is not confirmed so far. They are yet to be announced by BSP high command formally. Both the seats went to BSP in seat sharing agreement between SP and BSP combine.BJP may retain sitting MP Bharatendra Singh as its candidate. However, a few other BJP leaders are also staking claim for a ticket. On the other hand, Congress is mulling to field an influential Muslim personality from the Bijnor seat.

Stay updated with all the Meerut Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.