Pune: Election Commission of India (ECI) has emphasised on inducement-free elections with strict vigil and monitoring from the state machinery, state poll officials said following a three-day review meeting on the preparations for the upcoming general elections.
State election officials said EC delegation has directed the police department and other enforcement agencies to increase vigil on the movement of unauthorised cash, liquor, drugs and other inducements.
State chief electoral officer Shrikant Deshpande, who attended the three-day review meeting, told TOI that the final electoral roll would be published on Jan 23 as against Jan 22 in view of the public holiday announced by government in view of Ram temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’.
“They [EC] have directed us to keep a special focus on women, youth and first-time voters, besides marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and transgender voters,” Deshpande said.
In a separate meeting, all district collectors and election officials, along with police commissioners and superintendents of police made detailed presentations before the EC delegation regarding their preparedness.
EC officials have also been directed to identify critical and vulnerable polling stations through field visits and take confidence-building measures.
State election officials said EC delegation has directed the police department and other enforcement agencies to increase vigil on the movement of unauthorised cash, liquor, drugs and other inducements.
State chief electoral officer Shrikant Deshpande, who attended the three-day review meeting, told TOI that the final electoral roll would be published on Jan 23 as against Jan 22 in view of the public holiday announced by government in view of Ram temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’.
“They [EC] have directed us to keep a special focus on women, youth and first-time voters, besides marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and transgender voters,” Deshpande said.
In a separate meeting, all district collectors and election officials, along with police commissioners and superintendents of police made detailed presentations before the EC delegation regarding their preparedness.
EC officials have also been directed to identify critical and vulnerable polling stations through field visits and take confidence-building measures.