New Delhi: (CNI) The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday directed all state chief secretaries and directors general of police as well as heads of central agencies to ensure peaceful and greed-free Lok Sabha elections. Make and maintain strict vigilance along with it. Preventing the flow of illegal liquor, cash, drugs and weapons across interstate and international borders.
Preemptive measures to deal with communal tensions based on past experiences and the need to secure porous borders against illegal activities were also discussed.
The polling panel said that the recent violence and unrest in Manipur and its impact on holding peaceful elections were also taken into account, with the EC to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ensure their participation in the electoral process. He called for immediate action to make
The EC had convened the meeting to bring all relevant stakeholders on one platform for smooth coordination and cooperation between officials of neighboring states and Union Territories.
The polling panel said other important issues discussed in the meeting included proactive deployment of central forces, logistical support for movement and transport of security personnel and identification and monitoring of flashpoints in border areas that could affect the electoral process there may be styles.
The Commission stressed the importance of strict vigilance to prevent movement of contraband including drugs, alcohol, arms and explosives across international borders.
It also called for identification of entry and exit routes for movement of liquor and cash along the borders and curbs on illegal cultivation of ganja in some states.
The commission reviewed the support of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and state civil aviation departments for dispatching polling teams to challenging areas in 11 states including Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
Instructions were given to take appropriate security measures to protect political activists and candidates based on their risk perception, particularly in the Union States of Chhattisgarh and Jammu and Kashmir.(CNI)
