Election Commission Holds Crucial Meeting to Ensure Fair and Peaceful Elections

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) convened a pivotal meeting with all States and Union Territories (UTs) today to assess the law and order situation, prevention of illicit activities, and strict vigilance across inter-state and international borders in the ongoing General Elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies 2024. The meeting aimed to ensure free, fair, peaceful, and inducement-free elections by bringing together concerned stakeholders for seamless coordination and cooperation.

Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the meeting saw the participation of top officials from States/UTs and central agencies responsible for guarding the borders.

CEC Rajiv Kumar emphasized the Commission’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders. He urged States/UTs and agencies to translate their resolve into concrete actions for the conduct of free, fair, peaceful, and intimidation-free elections.

Key issues discussed during the meeting included:

Enhanced coordination among neighboring States/UTs
Diligent deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
Identification and monitoring of flashpoints in border areas
Preemptive measures to address communal tensions
Securing porous borders against illegal activities
The Commission stressed the importance of strict vigilance to curb the movement of contraband items, including narcotics, liquor, arms, and explosives across international borders. It directed for the identification of exit and entry points for the movement of liquor and cash along the borders, as well as curbing illegal activities such as Ganja cultivation.

The meeting also addressed logistical support for ferrying polling teams in challenging regions, adequate security measures for political functionaries and candidates based on threat perception, and recent violence and turmoil in certain states affecting the electoral process.

General directions given during the meeting included:

Integrated check posts at international and interstate borders for strict surveillance
Sharing of intelligence on criminals and antisocial elements between bordering districts
Sealing of inter-state borders for preventing bogus voting during the last 48 hours
Regular inter-state coordination meetings of border districts
Strengthening monitoring at checkposts with CCTV camera installation
Strict vigilance along helipads, airports, bus stations, and railway stations
Representatives from Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary (Excise), Chief Electoral Officer, and State Police Nodal Officer of all States/UTs, as well as heads of Central Agencies involved in guarding borders, attended the review meeting.