UP Lok Sabha elections: 'NaMo' food packets distributed in Noida

Food packets with 'NaMo' covers were being distributed at a polling booth in Noida as the first phase of polling began in Uttar Pradesh. Police clarify the food packets were taken from a shop and not funded by any political party.

Noida: Reacting to the reports on NaMo food platters distributed outside a polling booth in Noida, the police on Thursday clarified that those were procured from Namo Food Shop and not from any political party.

The food packets, brought in the boot of a hatchback car, were distributed around 9.30 am among personnel deployed in Sector 15A here, the police informed.

"Misinformation is being spread that some policemen have been distributed food from a political party. This is absolutely wrong. At the local level, some food packets were procured from Namo Food Shop and not from any political party," Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna said. "Some people are spreading wrong and politically motivated rumour. There is no official order to procure food from any particular food outlet," he said, and appealed to people not to pay heed to rumours being spread via social media. Earlier, police personnel at a Noida polling booth were reportedly greeted with 'NaMo' food platters, raising eyebrows over the sudden development during the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh. Following the incident, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Venkateswara Loo had taken cognizance of the case.

The district magistrate had also sought a report from the Noida polling booth in question.

The eight constituencies have recorded a voter turnout of 24 per cent till 11 am, after the polling began on Thursday morning.

According to reports, many voters raised doubts, if this was allowed while polling was on, as it could be termed a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission enforced the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on the day the election dates were announced. It lays down rules and regulations over the conduct of political parties, candidates and its workers.

Also, in some cases, the EC takes action against the offenders although there is no proper punishment over the violations.

READ: LS polls 2019: About 12 percent voter turnout in Ghaziabad