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ECI Holds Border Meetings for Poll Preparedness in 5 States, Bye-Elections

The Election Commission of India held inter-state border meetings with officials from five poll-going states and their neighbours to review preparedness for the upcoming elections. The Commission, led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, focused on law-and-order, expenditure enforcement, and preventing illegal activities like cash and liquor seizures. Officials were instructed to strengthen coordination at check posts and ensure violence-free elections with support from central agencies. Polling dates were confirmed for West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, with counting on May 4, alongside bye-elections in six other states.

Key Points: ECI Reviews Poll Preparedness in 5 States, Border Coordination

  • Review law & order in poll states
  • Enhance inter-state coordination
  • Intensify seizures of cash, liquor, narcotics
  • Focus on sensitive border districts
  • Schedule for Assembly & bye-elections announced
2 min read

ECI holds Inter-State Border Meetings to strengthen poll preparedness

Election Commission holds inter-state meetings for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal polls. Focus on law & order, seizures, violence-free elections.

"ensure violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free elections - Election Commission of India"

New Delhi, March 24

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday held inter-state border meetings to review poll preparedness and strengthen coordination ahead of the upcoming General Elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, as well as bye-elections in six states.

The meeting brought together Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), Directors General of Police (DGPs), and senior officials from the five poll-going states and their twelve neighbouring states, along with heads of central enforcement agencies.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, reviewed the law-and-order situation, poll readiness, expenditure enforcement, and seizures of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, arms, and other items in sensitive constituencies.

Officials were also instructed to focus on inter-state check posts and border districts to ensure violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free elections.

The Commission asked neighbouring states to provide full support to poll-going states in maintaining peace and order during the elections. Heads of central agencies, including the Indian Coast Guard, Assam Rifles, and others, were directed to enhance vigilance in border areas and strengthen monitoring at interstate check posts.

The ECI also instructed agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Income Tax Department, Central GST, and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to intensify their operations before the polls, with special emphasis on seizures of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, arms, and other contraband based on actionable intelligence.

The meeting aimed to ensure smooth, fair, and peaceful elections by improving coordination among state and central authorities and taking proactive steps to prevent violations and illegal activities in both poll-going states and neighbouring regions.

According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India, polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Kerala and Assam will vote in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. Voting in Puducherry will also take place on April 9.

The counting of votes for all four states and Puducherry will be held on May 4, the ECI announced.

In addition to the Assembly polls, the Commission also announced by-elections for six seats across six states--Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura--which will be conducted in two phases.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see central agencies like NCB and DRI being roped in. The seizure of narcotics is so important, especially in sensitive areas. Let's hope this coordination translates to peaceful voting without any intimidation for common people. 🙏
R
Rohit P
Meetings are good, but implementation is key. We hear about these plans before every election, yet violations happen. The ECI must ensure these instructions are followed on the ground, not just in conference rooms. Accountability is needed.
A
Ananya R
Including Assam Rifles and Coast Guard for border vigilance is a smart move. Security during elections in states like West Bengal and Assam is paramount. Hoping for a smooth process so everyone can cast their vote without fear.
S
Sarah B
As someone following Indian elections, the scale of coordination is impressive. Getting multiple states and central agencies on the same page is a massive task. The focus on "actionable intelligence" for seizures sounds like a practical approach.
K
Karthik V
The mention of Tamil Nadu and Kerala borders is important. There's often movement of materials and people. Hope this ensures a level playing field for all parties. Jai Hind!

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