by: NavJeevan

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Election Commission reviews law and order, security situation

NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, APRIL 3

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued directives to all Chief Secretaries, Director Generals of Police (DGPs), and heads of central agencies including border guarding forces to ensure peaceful and inducement-free Lok Sabha elections.

The poll panel, which held a high-level review meeting with senior officials from across the country, including those from states, Union Territories (UTs) and Union ministries of Home and Defence along with forces attached to them, has also asked them to take preemptive measures to address communal tensions based on the past experiences.

  • ECI directs Chief Secretaries and Director General of Police of all States/UTs and heads of central agencies to ensure peaceful and inducement-free General Elections 2024
  • Strict vigil to be kept along interstate & international borders to plug inflow of illicit liquor, cash, drugs, arms and freebies

The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was attended by top officials from States/UTs and central agencies guarding the borders.

CEC Rajiv Kumar in his opening remarks underscored Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, peaceful, and inducement-free elections, and called upon all stakeholders to work together seamlessly to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure level playing field. He directed States/UTs to ensure that every voter can exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.

After the review meeting, the poll panel in a statement said, “In his remarks, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said it is the ‘most important and crucial’ deliberation that takes place every five years of the election cycle.” He also told the officials that the ECI seeks to deliver “absolutely spotless elections”.

The ECI had convened the meeting to bring all the stakeholders concerned on one platform for a seamless coordination and cooperation among the officials of neighbouring states and Union territories, it said.

Key issues discussed during the meeting included the need for enhanced coordination among neighboring States/UTs, diligent deployment of CAPF provided adequately in all States/UTs; logistical support for movement and transport on CAPF personnel in bordering poll going State/UT; identification and monitoring of  flashpoints in border areas that may have ramifications on the election process; preemptive measures to address communal tensions based on past experiences, and the imperative of securing porous borders against illegal activities. The Commission underscored the importance of strict vigilance to curb the movement of contraband items, including narcotics, liquor, arms, and explosives across international borders. Directed for identification of exit and entry points for movement of liquor and cash along the borders, curbing of illegal Ganja cultivation in some states.

The Commission reviewed support from Indian Air force and state civil aviation department for sorties to ferry polling teams in challenging regions of 11 states like Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra.  Directions were given for adequate security measures to safeguard political functionaries and candidates based on threat perception, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir. The recent violence and turmoil in Manipur and ramifications in conduct of peaceful elections were also addressed, with the Commission urging swift action to assist Internally Displaced Persons and ensure their participation in the electoral process.

Directions were given for adequate security measures to safeguard political functionaries and poll candidates based on their threat perception, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

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.