Guwahati, 24 March (HS): The Election Commission of India on Tuesday held a high-level review meeting with officials from poll-bound states and their neighbouring regions to assess preparedness and strengthen coordination for the upcoming General Elections and bye-elections 2026.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, was attended by Chief Secretary, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Directors General of Police (DGP), and senior officers Assam Heads of multiple enforcement agencies also participated in the review.

The Commission assessed poll preparedness, law and order situations, and enforcement measures including seizures of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, and arms. The review covered the upcoming elections in Assam along with bye-elections in Nagaland and Tripura.

Officials from poll-bound states briefed the Commission on their preparations, highlighting law and order challenges, expenditure monitoring and coordination with central agencies and neighbouring states. Special emphasis was placed on heightened vigilance in border districts and effective sealing of inter-state borders to ensure peaceful polling.

The Commission directed neighbouring states to extend full cooperation in ensuring violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free elections. It also instructed enforcement agencies including the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, and paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police to intensify surveillance and enforcement measures.

Central agencies were specifically asked to step up operations in the run-up to the elections and maximise seizures of illicit materials based on actionable intelligence, while ensuring strict monitoring at inter-state check posts.

The ECI reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections across all poll-bound regions.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash