Guwahati, 26 March (HS): The Election Commission of India conducted an online review and training meeting with district election officers, superintendents of police, senior superintendents of police, police commissioners and other officials of Assam in connection with the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly Elections 2026 scheduled for April 9, officials informed last night.
The Commission revisited the assurance made by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during his visit to Assam on February 18, 2026, emphasising that the elections would be conducted in a violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free environment, ensuring every voter can exercise their franchise without fear or bias in a festive atmosphere.
Senior officials of the Commission reviewed the preparedness of district administrations and law enforcement agencies, focusing on election planning and arrangements. Detailed discussions were held on ensuring minimum facilities at all polling stations, EVM management, logistics, training of polling personnel, seizure operations, law and order, voter awareness and outreach programmes.
The meeting stressed that every Presiding Officer must provide a signed copy of Form 17C, containing polling account details, to all polling agents present after the completion of voting.
Officials were also directed to ensure proper training of presiding officers and to upload voter turnout data every two hours and after the close of polling through the ECINET application.
District election officers were instructed to distribute voter information slips to all voters at least five days before polling and to ensure that voter guides are provided to every household. The Chief Electoral Officer of Assam also informed that Braille-enabled voter information slips would be provided to facilitate visually impaired voters.
Further, officials were directed to process permissions sought by candidates and political parties for campaign-related activities through the ECINET ‘Suvidha’ module within the stipulated 24-hour timeframe on a first-come, first-served basis in a fair and transparent manner.
Special emphasis was also laid on ensuring adequate security and rescue arrangements at polling stations located in riverine and char areas of the state.------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
