The Election Commission of India (ECI) convened a high-level review meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday, March 24, intensifying preparations for the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections and by-elections with an explicit aim of ensuring free, fair and violence‑free polls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, led the session attended by chief secretaries, chief electoral officers, DGPs and senior officials from five poll‑bound states and union territories — Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — along with representatives from 12 neighbouring states and central enforcement agencies.
The Commission assessed overall poll preparedness, law and order arrangements, and enforcement mechanisms. Officials reviewed priority areas including the seizure of illegal cash, liquor, narcotics and arms, and discussed identification of expenditure‑sensitive constituencies — constituencies prone to large, often illicit, campaign spending that can distort the electoral process.
A central focus was strengthening cross‑border coordination. The ECI directed state and central agencies to enhance surveillance in border districts and to ensure effective sealing of inter‑state boundaries where necessary, with the aim of preventing the movement of illicit materials and persons who could influence voters or disrupt polling.
Poll‑bound states briefed the Commission on their readiness and flagged operational challenges, particularly the need for tighter coordination with neighbouring states and central agencies. In response, adjoining states were instructed to provide full cooperation to preserve peace and uphold electoral integrity.
The meeting also held detailed discussions with a multi‑departmental election‑intelligence committee, underlining the importance of real‑time information sharing and coordinated enforcement action. Heads of key agencies — including the CBDT, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Reserve Bank of India and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence — were asked to maintain heightened vigilance at inter‑state checkposts and to maximise seizures based on intelligence inputs. The measures aim to deter malpractice and ensure a level playing field ahead of polling.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/ec-holds-high-level-meet-with-poll-bound-states-to-review-preparedness-directs-strict-vigilance
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2026-03-24 16:56:00
