The Election Commission is taking a strict stance regarding the Bihar elections: The Chief Election Commissioner held a meeting with the heads of law enforcement agencies in Delhi.
Ahead of the upcoming two-phase assembly elections in Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar issued stern directives on Friday, making law enforcement agencies aware of their role in ensuring active and preventive measures during the elections in the state.
Gyanesh Kumar has convened a meeting here at the Election Hall with the heads of law enforcement agencies, including Sukbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The heads of various law enforcement agencies, such as CBDT, CBIC, ED, DRI, RBI, NCB, RPF, CISF, BSF, SSB, BASAS, AAI, and the Postal Department, participated in the meeting. The Chief Secretary of Bihar, the DGP, the State Police Nodal Officer (SPNO), and the Chief Election Officer participated in this meeting online.
During the meeting, extensive discussions were held regarding the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap to combat the detrimental effects of cash and other inducements in the Bihar elections. There were also discussions on imposing controls on the secret expenditures of candidates and political parties, fostering cooperation among law enforcement agencies for effective measures, and the exchange of confidential information related to economic crimes.
Furthermore, during the discussions, strict orders were issued to monitor measures aimed at halting the transportation of cash, including smuggled goods, drugs, alcohol, and counterfeit currency across interstate and international borders.
The Chief Election Commissioner has issued a strict directive emphasising that there should be collaboration among law enforcement agencies and the exchange of intelligence regarding economic crimes for effective measures. He has highlighted the importance of inter-agency coordination at the national, state, and district levels for each enforcement agency.
The Chief Election Commissioner has instructed the relevant agencies to conduct mapping of electoral areas to monitor the transportation of smuggled goods, drugs, alcohol, and cash (including counterfeit currency) across interstate and international borders. He has also directed the assurance of a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy for free and fair elections in Bihar.
During the meeting, various agencies provided the Commission with information regarding their preparations, measures taken, and proposed actions to ensure an election free from inducements. According to the Election Commission, detailed information has been provided concerning the control of the use of money and other inducements that could disrupt the electoral process.
According to the statement from the Chief Election Commissioner, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday that since the declaration of the assembly election date on October 6, goods worth over 3.3 billion rupees have been seized in Bihar following the enforcement of the ‘Model Code of Conduct’. The seized items, which include cash, liquor, and narcotics, were confiscated by law enforcement agencies across various locations in the state.
The first phase of voting for the Bihar assembly elections will take place on November 6, followed by the second phase on November 11. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.