EC orders heightened vigilance along India’s borders with Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) The Election Commission (EC) has instructed central agencies to maintain strict vigilance along the country’s bordering areas with Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh. This directive aims to ensure peaceful and inducement-free general elections nationwide.

In a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the EC reviewed support from the Indian Air Force and state civil aviation departments for facilitating the transportation of polling teams in challenging regions, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. Adequate security measures were also discussed for safeguarding political functionaries and candidates, especially in high-threat areas like Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir.

The recent violence in Manipur was a key topic of discussion, with the EC emphasizing the need for swift action to assist Internally Displaced Persons and enable their participation in the electoral process. The meeting aimed to review the law and order situation, prevent illicit activities, enhance vigilance across inter-state and international borders, and set up integrated check posts for stringent surveillance.

To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, the EC has issued directives for monitoring expenditures and preventing the inflow of illicit goods like liquor, cash, and drugs along inter-state and international borders. Measures include sealing inter-state borders to prevent bogus voting, conducting joint operations by various departments, and intensifying vigilance at transportation hubs.

Furthermore, the EC emphasized the importance of curbing the movement of contraband items like narcotics, liquor, arms, and explosives across international borders. Identifying entry and exit points for illegal goods, curbing illegal ganja cultivation, and monitoring key locations like helipads, airports, and railway stations were highlighted as essential tasks to ensure a fair and secure electoral process.