New Delhi, March 24 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with top officials from states going to the polls and their neighboring states to strengthen coordination and ensure the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful elections.
Key administrative and law enforcement authorities, including Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police (DGPs), Principal Secretaries (Home and Excise), State Focal Points for Seizure Tracking (SFST), and State Police Nodal Officers (SPNOs), participated in the meeting.
The objective was to enhance inter-state coordination, address intelligence gaps, and streamline enforcement mechanisms in the lead-up to the elections.
In a parallel exercise, the Commission also deliberated with the Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence (MDCEI), focusing on curbing illicit activities such as the movement of unaccounted cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements that could influence voters.
The ECI emphasized the need for real-time information sharing, coordinated border checks, and stricter surveillance to ensure inducement-free elections.
The Commission reiterated its zero-tolerance approach towards electoral malpractice and underscored the importance of seamless coordination among neighboring states to check cross-border movements of people and goods and maintain law and order during elections.
According to the announced schedule, polling in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will be held on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. West Bengal will witness a two-phase election on April 23 and April 29. The vote counting is scheduled for May 4.
Earlier on Monday, the Commission conducted an online review-cum-training session with District Election Officers (DEOs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), and other senior officials of West Bengal to assess preparedness and reinforce guidelines for the smooth conduct of polling in West Bengal.
The ECI also removed as many as 73 Returning Officers (ROs) in West Bengal on Monday ahead of the elections.