UP Nikay Chunav Voting: What is unique about this period in UP civic elections?

Today, April 4, is Election Day for the first phase of the municipal elections in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The voting process began at 7 am and will last until 6 pm. Voting is taking place in the first phase in 37 districts across the state's 9 mandals, 10 municipal corporations, 104 municipal councils, and 276 town panchayats.

Manoj Kumar, the state's election commissioner, has been instructed to take every precaution to ensure a fair, free, and transparent election process. Additionally, he warned the officials that any level of negligence in holding free elections would not be accepted. Manoj Kumar has given instructions to watch out for and punish harshly anyone who stirs up trouble during the polls.