Election Commission directs states, UTs to ensure peaceful and inducement-free polling

DIMAPUR — With the general elections to the Lok Sabha just weeks away, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday directed the chief secretaries and Director General of Police of all states and union territories (UTs), and heads of central agencies to ensure peaceful and inducement-free polling.

“Strict vigil to be kept along interstate and international borders to plug inflow of illicit liquor, cash, drugs, arms and freebies,” read the press note.

It came after the ECI convened a crucial meeting on Wednesday with all States/UTs to review and assess the law and order situation, prevention of illicit activities, seizures and strict vigil across inter-state and international borders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the review meeting with top officials from states/UTs and central agencies was held to bring all concerned stakeholders on the same platform for a seamless coordination during the election.

While urging the stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure level playing field, the CEC directed the states and UTs ‘to ensure that every voter exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation’.

The ECI also underscored the importance of coordination among states, adequate deployment of CAPF and strict vigilance to curb the movement of contraband items, among others.

Law and order-related directives

1. Integrated check posts at international and inter-state borders for strict surveillance.

2. Sharing of intelligence on criminals and anti-social elements between bordering districts.

3. Sealing of inter-state borders for preventing bogus voting during last 48 hours.

4. Regular inter-state coordination meetings of border districts.

5. Intensify patrolling on inter-state border districts by state police.

6. Additional nakas to be set up at strategic locations in coordination with bordering states.

7. Seal inter-state border on poll day.

8. Excise Commissioners of bordering states/UTs to ensure checking of genuineness of the permits, surprise checks of liquor shops especially in border districts.

9. Timely deposition of licensed weapons and execution of non-bailable warrants.

10. Action against absconders, history sheeters, criminals involved in election related offences.

11. Adequate security cover to political functionaries/ candidates based on threat perception.

Expenditure Monitoring

1. Plugging the inflow of illicit liquor, cash, drugs along inter-state and international borders.

2. Strengthening monitoring at checkposts with CCTV Camera installation.

3. Joint checking and operations by police, excise, transport, GST and forest department.

4. Strict vigil along helipads, airports, bus stations and railway stations.

5. Strict action against liquor and drug kingpins; curtail flow of country made liquor; establish forward and backward linkages to plug it systemically.

6. Mapping of sensitive routes for transport of liquor, cash, drugs and freebies.

Directions to Central Agencies

1. Strict vigil along Indo-Myanmar border by Assam Rifles; Indo Nepal Border by SSB especially in areas having porous border with Nepal; Indo-Bangladesh border and western borders by BSF; Indo-China border by ITBP, and in states with coastal area by Indian Coast Guard.

2. Assam Rifles to hold regular joint security coordination meetings with State Police, CAPF, etc.

3. SSB to keep strict watch over international borders with Nepal and Bangladesh for any illicit activity, especially before 72 hours of poll.

4. Ensure area familiarization for newly inducted CAPF companies in coordination with civil administration.

5. Establish Joint Check Posts in coordination with State Police Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary (Home), Pr Secretary (Excise), Chief Electoral officer and State Police Nodal Officer of all States/UTs. Heads of Central Agencies involved in guarding borders namely Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo Tibetan Border Police and Coast Guard along with heads of CRPF, Central CAPF nodal officer, Additional Secretary MHA and representatives from M/o Defence and Railways attended the review meeting.