New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.):
The Election Commission of India chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar held a crucial high-level review meeting at its headquarters here on Tuesday to finalize preparations for upcoming assembly elections and bypolls with special focus on inter-state border security and electoral integrity.
Election Commissioners Dr SS Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi joined Kumar as the commission assessed readiness for general elections in Assam Kerala Puducherry Tamil Nadu and West Bengal alongside bypolls in six other states. Chief secretaries DGPs and chief electoral officers from these five poll-bound states and their 12 neighboring states participated while key enforcement agencies like CBDT ED NCB DRI and paramilitary forces including CRPF BSF and ITBP were also present.
The ECI issued strict directives to seal border districts enhance surveillance at inter-state check posts and intensify crackdowns on illegal cash liquor drugs and arms smuggling. Agencies received orders to ramp up raids based on solid intelligence monitor airports ports and postal services closely and ensure seamless information sharing between poll states and neighbors all aimed at delivering violence-free fear-free and inducement-free elections.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
