Keep strict vigil on the borders for peaceful and inducement free polls

ECI instructs CS, DGP and heads of central agencies across nation

The Election Commission of India conducted an important meeting with the authorities of all States/UTs to review and assess the law and order situation during the Lok Sabha elections, prevention of illegal activities, seizures and to ensure strict surveillance at inter-State and international borders. The objective of the joint review is to bring all concerned stakeholders on a single platform for seamless co-ordination and co-operation between the Central agencies guarding the borders as well as the authorities of neighboring States/UTs for free, fair, peaceful and inducement free elections. The Commission reviewed in detail all the important issues related to each State/Union Territory.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajeev Kumar, was attended by Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu along with top officials of states/UTs and central agencies guarding the borders.

Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar underlined the Commission’s commitment to ensure free, fair, peaceful and inducement-free elections and urged all stakeholders to work together to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure equal opportunity. He directed the States/UTs to ensure that every voter can exercise his right to vote without any fear or intimidation. Shri Kumar called upon all States/UTs and agencies to convert their ‘resolve’ into concrete ‘action’ for free, fair, peaceful and fear-free elections.

In the meeting, discussion was held on the need for better coordination between neighbouring States/UTs, adequate CAPF deployment in all States/UTs, logistics support for movement and transportation of CAPF personnel to the border State/UT, identifying and monitoring flashpoints in border areas that may have an impact on the election process, preventive measures to defuse communal tension based on past experiences, measures and the imperative to secure open borders against illegal activities. The Commission underlined the importance of strict surveillance to curb the movement of prohibited items, including narcotics, liquor, weapons and explosives, across international borders. Instructions were given to curb illegal cannabis cultivation in some states, identify exit and entry points for movement of liquor and cash across the borders.

Law and order related instructions

1. Integrated check posts at international and interstate borders for strict surveillance.

2. Sharing of intelligence on criminals and anti-social elements between border districts.

3. Sealing of inter-state borders to prevent fraudulent voting during the last 48 hours.

4. Regular interstate co-ordination meetings of border districts.

5. Intensify patrolling of inter-state border districts by the state police.

6. Additional checkpoints will be set-up at strategic locations in co-ordination with border states.

7. Seal interstate borders on polling day.

8. Excise Commissioners of border States/UTs should ensure genuineness of permits, conduct surprise checks of liquor shops especially in border districts.

9. Timely deposit of licensed arms and execution of non-bailable warrants.

10. Action against absconding criminals, history-sheeters and criminals involved in election related crimes.

11. Adequate security cover to political officials/candidates based on threats.

Monitoring of expenses:

1. To stop the flow of illicit liquor, cash, drugs across interstate and international borders.

2. Strengthening surveillance by installing CCTV cameras at check posts.

3. Joint checking campaign by Police, Excise, Transport, GST and Forest Department.

4. Strict surveillance at helipads, airports, bus stations and railway stations.

5. Strict action against liquor and drug kingpins, cut off the flow of country liquor, establish forward and backward linkages to systematically plug it.

6. Mapping of sensitive routes for transportation of liquor, cash, drugs and free goods.

Guidelines to Central Agencies

1. Strict vigil on India-Myanmar border by Assam Rifles; India Nepal border by SSB especially in areas having porous border with Nepal; India-Bangladesh border and western borders by BSF; India-China border should be monitored by the ITBP and in the coastal states by the Indian Coast Guard.

2. Assam Rifles will hold regular joint security co-ordination meetings with State Police, CAPFs etc.

3. The SSB will maintain strict vigil along the international borders with Nepal and Bangladesh for any illegal activity, especially in the 72 hours before polling.

4. Familiarize the newly inducted CAPF companies with the area in coordination with the civil administration.

5. Establish joint check posts in coordination with the state police.

Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Smt. Veera Rana, Chief Electoral Officer Shri Anupam Rajan, Director General of Police Shri Sudhir Kumar Saxena and officers were present in the meeting.