The Election Commission of India (ECI) 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. The meeting was also held with the Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence.
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 Dr S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, reviewed the poll preparedness, law and order situation, seizures of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, arms, inter-state check posts, expenditure sensitive constituencies for the upcoming General Election in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in 6 states.
Officials from poll-bound states briefed the Commission about their overall preparation, law and order issues, expenditure enforcement & any concerns or pending issues with central agencies and neighbouring states. Special focus was placed on bordering districts and sealing of borders to maintain peace and order in the poll-going states/UTS.
The neighbouring border states were directed to take all possible steps to aid the poll-going states/UTs in ensuring an inducement-free and violence free elections.
The ECI instructed the heads of 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 ensure heightened vigilance in poll-going states with enhanced checks at inter- state check posts. The Commission emphasised the need to intensify efforts and maximise seizures of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, arms and other inducements on actionable intelligence.
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.