LUCKNOW: With orders to carry out intensive checking on the borders of eight States neighbouring Uttar Pradesh to prevent inflow of illegal arms and explosives, the Election Commission has sought details from the State Government about the people given security cover, including elected representatives. The details will include those who have been provided with gunners after the announcement of the Assembly election schedule on February 21, their crime record, if any, and the nature of threat perception.

The Commission has also sought districtwise break-up figures for criminal cases against persons with criminal antecedents, including elected representatives and candidates.

These details have to be furnished before March 13, when nominations open for the first phase of the seven-phase polls.

The Commission's move is seen as the first step towards keeping a tight leash on criminal elements from subverting the election process and weeding out those with criminal antecedents. Opposition parties have complained that several ruling party functionaries and leaders with alleged criminal records were given security cover.

On Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer Anuj Kumar Bishnoi held a meeting with the Home Secretaries and Directors-General of Police of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The CEO told reporters that inter-State border checking had begun and the borders with the eight States would be sealed before the elections. The police in the border districts would remain in touch with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh and exchange vital information and intelligence inputs.

Officials of these States were asked to conduct raids on illegal arms units and illicit liquor distillation units, besides preparing a dossier on anti-social elements, criminals and gangsters.

Plans were afoot to post police units as well as deploy foot patrol along the borders, Mr. Bishnoi said.

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