Imphal: As directed by ECI, a delegation of the Election Commission of India, comprising Dharmendra Sharma, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, Nitesh Vyas, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, R.K. Gupta, Deputy Election Commissioner, Deepali Masirkar, Director, Madhusudan Gupta, Secretary and Deepmala, Under Secretary, arrived at Imphal Thursday.
The visiting delegates made a thorough review of the Election Preparedness. Chief Electoral Officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha, briefed the ECI delegation on the overall preparedness of state machinery for conduct of the General Elections.
The ECI delegation interacted with the CS, DGP and Senior Officers of the State Government and discussed the overall preparedness of the State and the team led by CS assured to ensure and facilitate a free and fair poll and also to ensure level playing field and objectivity during the poll process.
The Election Commission delegation reviewed the activities of various enforcement agencies including State Police, Assam Rifles, Airport Authority, Civil Aviation, State Level Bankers Committee, CBIS & Customs, Excise, BCAS, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Enforcement Directorate, Taxation, Forest, Income Tax, Narcotics Control Bureau, CISF, Postal Department and RBI. Senior Officers and Nodal Officers of the Enforcement Agencies attended the review meeting.
The Enforcement Agencies were directed to have a strict vigil on the movement of cash, liquor, drug and put up effective enforcement mechanisms to ensure free elections. The need to coordinate among the enforcement agencies was reiterated.
The delegation reviewed the preparedness of elections with the District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police of all 16 districts. Senior Officers of State Police including ADGP (L&O), IGPs and DIGs also attended the review meeting. The District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police made detailed presentations on preparedness of General Elections. It was emphasised that adequate provisions should be made to ensure all Internally Displaced People are able to vote at the Special Polling Stations without any difficulty. DEOs have also been advised to take utmost care and ensure that all protocols as stipulated by the Commission should be complied in letter and spirit.
Sr. DEC also advised the District Election Officers and SPs to take every step to ensure free, fair, peaceful, inducement free and inclusive elections. Members of ECI team also undertook field visits to Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts.
