New Delhi, April 3
The Election Commission today directed poll officials to act fast in gathering advance information about any possible trouble ahead of the Assembly poll in Uttar Pradesh, after expressing concern over the violence in Lucknow and Kanpur.

"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 Gopalaswamy told reporters after addressing over 200 observers deployed for the last three phases of poll.

The seven-phased Assembly poll in UP begins on April 7.

The CEC said the poll officials had also been told to look at vulnerable areas and absentee voters.

Asked whether the EC was satisfied with the security arrangements, he said: "Wait and see how things move. At this moment, the situation is under control".

Gopalaswamy also brushed aside charges by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav that "indiscriminate" mass transfers of senior officials in the state by the EC resulted in the sectarian violence in Lucknow and Kanpur.

The CEC also refused to comment on the Chief Minister's appeal to the electorate to vote for him or he would have to go to jail.

On the EC seeking clarification from the cabinet secretary on the announcement made by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on sugar package, the CEC said the commission was yet to take a decision on the response from the government.

“The reply has come. We have not taken a decision. We have not applied our mind,” he said.

Pawar had said the Centre would provide Rs 1,350 per tonne as export subsidy to mills in the coastal areas and Rs 1,450 per tonnes for factories located in other areas, besides creating a buffer stock of sugar.