Lucknow, Jan 27 (UNI) A high-level delegation of the BJP today met Election Commission officials here demanding immediate removal of two dozen officials, including DGP Javeed Ahmed and Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar, for holding free and fair seven-phase polls in Uttar Pradesh starting from February 11. The delegation apprised the election officials about the role of some officials of the state government whose participation in the Assembly elections could deter in holding free and fair polls. The delegation, led by party national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, met Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) T Vekentesh and handed over a memorandum of their demands. Mr Naqvi said till these over two dozen officials were removed, the Commission cannot hold a free and fair elections. He also raised the issue of delay in giving permission to the BJP by district authorities on hoardings and even about the motorcycles. State BJP General Secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said his party gave the Commission the details of the officers, whose kith and kin are contesting mostly on the ruling Samajwadi Party ticket and they still hold important posts which can influence the elections. "Several UP officials are working as the cadre of the SP and they are freely supporting the ruling party candidates which would certainly influence the election," Mr Pathak, a member of the delegation, said. Earlier, UP BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya had repeatedly demanded removal of Mr Ahmed but the EC had refused to oblige so far. Mr Pathak said the delegation had impressed upon the EC that without removing these officials, the seven-phased elections in UP cannot be held free and fair. UNI MB SW SHK 1715