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New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday reviewed the inter-state border preparations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, directing strict vigilance to ensure peaceful, free and inducement-free elections.
The high-level coordination meeting in New Delhi was attended by chief secretaries, director generals of police (DGP) of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal and officials of the home department as well as officials of the home ministry, railway ministry and several law-enforcement agencies.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reviewed the law and order plans with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi and directed officials to tighten surveillance on the movement of people, cash, weapons, narcotics, liquor and free goods across the state borders and the international border with Nepal.
The Commission stressed on strict monitoring of sensitive districts and sealing of borders before voting.
“During the meeting, CEC Gyanesh Kumar underlined the Commission’s commitment to free, fair, peaceful and inducement-free elections and called upon all stakeholders to work seamlessly to maintain the integrity of the electoral process,” the ECI said in its press note.
“Chief Secretaries and DGPs, along with heads of central agencies, were directed to ensure peaceful and inducement-free general elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, 2025,” it said.
The ECI also reviewed preparations for voter convenience on polling day, directing states and central agencies to ensure smooth and secure voting experience.
The officers were tasked with strengthening intelligence, increasing security deployment and intensifying checking at inter-state border posts.
“Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been directed to ensure strict vigil in the areas bordering Bihar with increased checking at inter-state checkpoints,” it said.
Agencies including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Income Tax Department, CGST and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence were directed to intensify enforcement efforts and maximize actionable-intelligence-based seizures ahead of the elections.
With the two-phase assembly elections in Bihar approaching, the review meeting signals the ECI’s tough stance against voter inducement and illegal activities across the border, especially in the districts sharing borders with Nepal and neighboring states.
–IANS
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