The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a thorough assessment of the readiness for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi engaged in detailed discussions with political parties and officials in Guwahati. The visit, spanning February 17 and 18, involved interactions with various national and state political parties, such as the Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and others.
The ECI provided a platform for political parties to express their views, concerns, and suggestions, emphasizing the need for transparent and fair elections. Most parties expressed a preference for conducting the elections in a single or maximum of two phases, with a request to consider the Bihu festival while finalizing the election dates. The Special Revision of the Electoral Rolls in Assam was acknowledged positively by the parties, who also offered recommendations to ensure peaceful and well-organized elections throughout the state.
Following the discussions with political parties, the Commission held a comprehensive review session with key officials like Inspector Generals, District Election Officers (DEOs), and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs). Various aspects of election preparedness were covered, including election planning, EVM management, logistics, training of election personnel, and voter awareness initiatives. CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the necessity of conducting the elections in strict adherence to the Constitution of India and relevant electoral laws.
The Commission instructed all officials to maintain impartiality and promptly address any complaints or grievances raised by political parties. Furthermore, efforts were directed towards ensuring a pleasant voting experience by creating festive and voter-friendly polling stations. Officials were also tasked with monitoring social media for misinformation and taking necessary legal actions when required.
