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ECI Reviews Poll Preparedness with States, Focuses on Free & Fair Elections

The Election Commission of India convened a high-level meeting with top officials from poll-bound states and their neighbours to strengthen coordination for the upcoming elections. The Commission reviewed overall preparedness, focusing on law and order and measures to curb electoral malpractices like the movement of illicit cash and goods. It directed central and state enforcement agencies to intensify surveillance and coordinated operations, especially at interstate borders. Polling is scheduled between April 9 and April 29 across Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, with vote counting on May 4.

Key Points: ECI Holds High-Level Meet for Poll-Bound States, Reviews Security

  • Reviewed law & order and seizure measures
  • Directed heightened border vigilance
  • Coordinated central and state agencies
  • Set polling dates for five states/UTs
2 min read

ECI holds high-level coordination meet with poll-bound states to bolster preparedness (Ld)

Election Commission reviews coordination, law & order with officials from poll-bound and neighbouring states to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.

"ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free polls - Election Commission"

New Delhi, March 24

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday convened a high-level review meeting with top officials from poll-bound states and their neighbouring regions to strengthen coordination and ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

According to an official statement, the meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), Directors General of Police (DGPs), and other senior officials from the five poll-going states/UTs and 12 adjoining states/UTs, along with heads of key enforcement agencies.

The Commission reviewed overall preparedness, law and order, and measures to curb electoral malpractices, while directing all stakeholders to ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free polls.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, assessed poll readiness across states.

The review meeting covered key areas such as law and order, seizures of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics and arms, deployment at inter-state check posts, and identification of expenditure-sensitive constituencies for the upcoming Assembly elections and bypolls in six states.

Officials from poll-bound states briefed the Commission on their preparedness, enforcement actions, and coordination issues, if any, with central agencies and neighbouring states.

Special emphasis was laid on heightened vigilance in border districts, including sealing of inter-state borders to prevent the movement of illicit inducements and maintain public order.

Neighbouring states were directed to extend full cooperation to poll-going regions to ensure seamless enforcement and curb cross-border violations.

The ECI also instructed central enforcement and security agencies -- including the Income Tax Department, GST authorities, Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and various paramilitary forces -- to step up surveillance and intensify coordinated operations, particularly at inter-state check posts.

The Commission emphasised the need to act swiftly on actionable intelligence and maximise seizures of illegal cash, liquor, drugs and other inducements in the run-up to polling.

As per the schedule, polling in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. West Bengal will go to the polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good to see a comprehensive plan. But the real test is implementation. Will the central agencies and state police actually work together without political bias? We've seen meetings before, but on polling day, things often go wrong. Actions speak louder than press statements.
A
Aman W
Sealing borders and checking illegal inducements is a must. In Tamil Nadu, the flow of liquor is a known problem during elections. If the EC can actually curb this, it will be a huge achievement. All the best to the officials on the ground! 🙏
S
Sarah B
As an observer, the scale of coordination needed in India for elections is staggering. Involving so many states and central agencies is a massive logistical challenge. It's impressive on paper. Hope the citizens in these states get a peaceful and fair voting experience.
V
Vikram M
The mention of "expenditure-sensitive constituencies" is key. That's where the real money power game is played. ED, IT, DRI need to be hyper-vigilant 24/7. Voters also have a responsibility to reject candidates who try to buy votes. Let's vote for development, not for cash or liquor.
K
Kavya N
Peaceful polls are so important. In Kerala, we have a good history of high voter turnout and relatively clean elections. Hope the coordination with neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka helps keep it that way. The EC should also focus on ensuring easy access for elderly and PWD voters.

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