In view of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar held a meeting with the concerned enforcement agencies today regarding prevention and seizure of illegal cash, illegal liquor, narcotics and other items. In the meeting held in the conference room located at Nirvachan Bhavan, he directed to curb the risk of money power to conduct clean, fair and fear-free elections.
He directed to take strict action by keeping a special eye on illegal cash, illicit liquor, drugs and other items. He said that there is a need to strictly curb the illegitimate use of smuggled goods and illegal items to lure voters during the election process through close coordination between various enforcement agencies.
He directed to keep a strict vigil on those moving vehicles with unauthorized signs, banners and flags of political parties and take action as per rules. Also said that if goods are being transported somewhere without e-way bill, then all this reflects an attempt to influence the voters. Immediate strict action should be taken against those doing such things as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
He said that real time reporting of seizures received from enforcement agencies is essential. For this, the Election Forfeiture Management System has been developed by the Commission, which should be used meaningfully. He directed for real time reporting and record keeping by mutual coordination among the enforcement agencies. He also directed to strictly monitor the movement of free gift items.
In the meeting, Deputy Election Officer Sandeep Singh, Dr. Neha Arora, Deputy Inspector General of Police Communication and Technical Services cum State Nodal Officer (EEM) Jharkhand Ashwini Kumar Sinha, Additional Commissioner of Revenue Department, Government of India Suven Das Gupta, Commercial Tax Commissioner Santosh Kumar Vats, Joint Transport Commissioner Praveen Kumar Prakash, Assistant Manager (Operations) of Birsa Munda Airport Rakesh Kumar Yadav, officials of RPF, Railways and other related agencies were present.
