The Chief Election Commissioner discussed the preparations.
– Photo : amar ujala
Expansion
The Election Commission of India has instructed the District Election Officers and Police Captains to conduct fair and transparent elections in the state under all circumstances. The Commission has bluntly said that if there is any re-polling or election violence, the concerned officer will not be spared. Commission’s Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Commissioner Arun Goyal, who came to take stock of the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections in the state, reviewed it with all the District Magistrates, Divisional Commissioners, Police Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police and Superintendents of Police on Friday. The Commission also gave instructions to file a case immediately in case of violation of the code of conduct.
In the marathon meeting that lasted from around 10 am to 8 pm in Tilak Hall of Vidhan Bhavan, the CEC and the Commissioner talked to one District Magistrate and Police Captain each about the preparations for the elections in their district. Also, they were asked about the voting percentage in 2019 and 2022, efforts made to increase the voting percentage in the upcoming elections, increased number of voters in voter list revision, arrangement of water, electricity, shade, ramps, furniture at polling stations, suspicious polling stations, past Reviewed the cases of violation of code of conduct in elections. At the same time, information was taken from the police about necessary forces in the districts, stopping the distribution of illegal liquor, free goods and cash, banning anti-social elements, collecting weapons, security arrangements at sensitive polling stations and other preparations. The Commission gave instructions to conduct the process from scrutiny of nomination papers to counting of votes in a fair and transparent manner.
The Commission said that immediate action should be taken in cases of violation of the code of conduct. Also take major action like registering a case against the concerned, banning the election campaign. CEC gave instructions to maintain special vigil in the districts located on the borders of the state. In the meeting, all the District Magistrates, Divisional Commissioners and police officers presented the election preparations.
Only the District Magistrate and Captain will be responsible
The Chief Election Commissioner bluntly said that if any irregularities occur in the elections, the District Magistrate and the Police Captain will be responsible. He said that the Commission does not know anyone except the DM and the Captain during the elections.
Take strict action on hate speech
Rajiv Kumar said that the Commission has issued guidelines regarding hate speech in the Lok Sabha elections. It has also been clarified which words candidates and leaders of political parties cannot use in election campaign and speech. He said that strict action should also be taken against those who violate the guidelines in elections. CEC expressed displeasure over the fire incident in the strong room of Farrukhabad in the last elections. He said that the irregularities or unpleasant incidents that happened in the last elections should not be repeated.
What action was taken in Varanasi case
The Commission said that incidents like EVM being caught in a private vehicle in Varanasi should not be repeated in the assembly elections. Due to the mistake of one or two officials, the entire election becomes a question mark. The CEC also sought answers on the action taken against guilty officers and employees in the case.