The Election Commission has barred entry of Uttar Pradesh ministers in the two assembly constituencies of Gauriganj and Haidergarh where bypolls are in progress on Wednesday.

The EC's directive came on a complaint lodged by the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is a coalition partner of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party.

Several BJP leaders had alleged the BSP was "misusing government machinery" to influence the voters in the two constituencies.

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Election Officer Ravindra Singh said, "Taking cognisance of the complaint, we have directed the district magistrates of Barabanki and Sultanpur districts to ensure that all outsiders, including ministers are kept outside the geographical boundaries of the two assembly constituencies."

He added, "The Election Commission is duty bound to ensure free and fair poll under all circumstances."