State’s Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, reiterated in a virtual meeting that any form of unrest on the voting day will not be tolerated. Immediate action will be necessary if any untoward incident occurs during voting. The Election Commission cautioned that Officers in Charge could face suspension for any negligence in maintaining order.
CEO Manoj Agarwal emphasized that Officers in Charge must act if weapons, bombs, or bullets are found in any area on the voting day. Failure to do so will result in strict action by the Commission. He also questioned the delay in arresting those accused of causing unrest during the previous Assembly election.
The CEO instructed the police to identify criminals in the districts, particularly those with a history of violence, to prevent further disturbances during the upcoming election. The Election Commission is committed to ensuring free and fair elections this time, with the first phase of voting scheduled for April 23. Over 40,000 state police personnel have been deployed to oversee the initial voting phase.
During the virtual meeting with Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police from 16 districts, Manoj Agarwal stressed the crucial role of the police in maintaining peace during elections. The Commission has also deployed CCTV cameras at every booth to monitor voting activities closely. The meeting aimed to clarify instructions for a smooth electoral process.
