More security for women, actors in polls

Lucknow: The Election Commission has directed that all actors and women contesting the elections should be given special police protection.

Congress candidate and actor Nagma, who is contesting the Meerut seat, had been subjected to manhandling on more than one occasion and Hema Malini, who is contesting from Mathura seat on a BJP ticket, has also been facing trouble as people try to get uncomfortably close to her during the campaign. The decision to increase the security cover to the two actors along with BJP leader Uma Bharti, contesting from Jhansi Lok Sabha constituency, was taken at a meeting between the Election Commission and senior police officials. Extra security is also being provided to Begum Noor Bano and Raj Babbar, Congress candidates from Moradabad and Ghaziabad respectively.

CEO Umesh Sinha said authorities have been asked to book mischievous elements.