BAREILLY: After allegations of fake voting by burqa-clad Muslim women in the first and second phases of polling in western Uttar Pradesh, additional director general of police (

zone) Avinash Chandra on Monday said women with covered faces would have to uncover their face for their identification at poll booths on Tuesday.

“Women police personnel have been instructed to check each and every women voter while paying them due respect. In case a polling agent of a political party challenges the identity of a woman voter, her privacy will be maintained while ascertaining her identity,” said ADG.

In order to ensure free and fair election a three-tier security arrangement has been made in Bareilly, which along with six other constituencies of

region, is going to polls in the third phase on Tuesday.

ADG said among seven constituencies — Bareilly, Aonla, Budaun, Rampur, Sambhal, Moradabad and Pilibhit — Rampur is the “highly sensitive” district from communal point of view.

“In order to ensure no voter is barred from exercising franchise in rural areas, our mobile patrolling team will continuously make rounds in villages while

(QRTs) will be ready to deal with any untoward situation. There will be no restriction on the movement of private vehicles,” said ADG.

“Besides, trailing parties are following some candidates. They are not only providing security to them, but also keeping a tight vigil on their activities,” he said.

If anti-social elements pose any hindrance to free and fair polling, they would be dealt with iron hand. “No interruption will be tolerated at any cost. We will respond with bullet if anyone tries to capture booth. No crowd gathering will be allowed at paan or tea shops or other public places.”

District magistrate VK Singh said, “All booth level officers and other employees have been instructed to reach their respective polling stations by 6am. Mock poll will take place 30 minutes before the voting commences at 7am. This time, the Election Commission has given an extra hour, and thus, the polling will stop at 6pm instead of five.”