New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday held a Bihar polls enforcement meet with heads of various enforcement agencies to prepare a multi-pronged strategy for the smooth and fair conduct of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
The meeting, presided over by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, included participation from heads of several departments, who shared their inputs, suggestions, and feedback to make the polling process robust and foolproof.
Bihar Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) also joined the meeting, along with the state’s Chief Electoral Officer via video conference.
Bihar Polls Enforcement Meet : ECI Plans to Curb Cash, Liquor, and Drugs
Deliberations focused on preventing the movement of cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements aimed at influencing voters ahead of the elections. The committee also addressed the challenge of fake news, which could potentially derail the election process.
Discussions covered measures to curb covert expenditure by candidates and political parties, enhance intelligence sharing, and improve cooperation among law enforcement agencies for effective action against financial misconduct.
The committee also planned strategies to check the transport of smuggled goods, drugs, liquor, and cash, including fake currency, across inter-state and international borders.
At least 17 departments participated in this high-profile meeting, including CBDT, CBIC, ED, DRI, CEIB, FIU-IND, RBI, IBA, NCB, RPF, CISF, BSF, CRPF, SSB, BCAS, AAI, and the Department of Posts.
Key Takeaways from the Bihar Polls Enforcement Meet for Fair Elections
The poll panel has taken several steps to make the election process comfortable and accessible for all groups of people. The ECI issued guidelines to make polling booths easily accessible for older adults, including :
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Installing polling booths on the ground floor
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Prioritizing older voters during the voting process
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Arranging wheelchairs for people with disabilities
Additional measures were discussed to address concerns related to burqa-clad women, a matter that has led political parties to debate procedures for identity verification before casting ballots.
–IANS
