The Police Department and Excise and Taxation Department of Haryana and neighboring Punjab will work in close coordination to keep a check on flow of unaccounted money, illicit liquor and other illegal gratification, in view of the Haryana Assembly polls.
Besides, the Punjab Government has assured the Election Commission to declare ‘dry day’ for a day or two before polling in Haryana, scheduled to be held on October 21. Byelections to four assembly constituencies in Congress-ruled Punjab is also scheduled to be held on the same day.
“Following the inputs from senior officers of Civil Administration and Police Department in Haryana, the EC has approached the Punjab Government, which has assured to work in coordination with concerned enforcements agencies in Haryana to keep a check on flow of liquor, cash and drugs in its territory in view of Haryana Assembly,” said Chief Election Commissioner of India, Sunil Arora on Thursday, while addressing a press conference here.
The CEC alongwith Election Commissioners of India, Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra was on a two-day visit to Chandigarh to review the poll preparations in Haryana.
On the seizure of liquor, cash and drugs since the State Assembly polls have been announced in the state, Sunil Arora said that the illegal inducements worth Rs 9.67 crore has so been seized in Haryana.
The EC have held a meeting with Excise Commissioners of both Haryana and Punjab Governments and have directed them to work in close coordination and share inputs regarding any suspicious movement, he said.
Political parties in Haryana have demanded that ‘dry day’ should also be declared in neighboring state of Punjab, 48 hours prior to polling day i.e. October 21. Following this, the EC had held talks with the Punjab Government, which has assured to declare ‘dry day’ either for 24 hours or 48 hours before the election day, Arora said.
During the meeting with ECI team a day before, the political parties had demanded that ‘dry day’ be declared in entire Punjab to keep a check on smuggling of liquor into Haryana on the polling day.
As per the Election Commission’s directive, during the 48-hour period before the end of the polling in any constituency, the collector issues an order prohibiting the sale and distribution of liquor, intoxicants, or any such substances in hotels, restaurants, bars, or other shops.
The data with the Election Commission stated, “So far, Rs 9.67 crore (9,67,05,130) illegal inducements have been seized in Haryana after the announcement of elections. This included cash worth Rs 2.68 crore (2,68,17,419), liquor worth Rs 3.35 crore (Rs 3,35,11,508) and drugs worth Rs 3,63 crore (Rs 3,63,76,203).
The CEC also said that the Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau will also be asked to share inputs with the concerned enforcement agencies in Haryana.
The EC is committed to ensure free, fair and transparent election, Arora added.
The election to 90-member assembly in Haryana will be held on October 21 while the result will be declared on October 24.
During the first visit of the full Commission for two days here, the Commission held a series of review meetings with the state chief electoral officers, officers of the Police Department, nodal officers and the representatives of various political parties.
The Commission on Thursday held review meetings with nodal officers of Income Tax, Excise and Taxation Departments and State Level Bankers Committee, the district election officers, superintendents of police, divisional commissioners and range officers regarding the poll preparedness. Later on, the Commission also reviewed the election arrangements with the Chief Secretary Keshani Anand Arora, DGP Manoj Yadava and other senior officers.
Political parties demand CCTVs at all critical and vulnerable polling stations
During the meeting with the ECI, the political parties in Haryana have demanded installation of CCTV cameras at the critical and vulnerable polling stations in the state.
The political parties have requested for the deployment of adequate number of paramilitary forces in the elections especially in those areas which has the maximum number of people belonging to economical weaker sections of the society so as to ensure their participation in the elections.
As per the EC data, there are 19578 polling stations in the state including 153 auxiliary polling stations. The Civil Administration and Police Authorities have identified 83 polling stations in 60 locations as ‘critical’ and 2,923 polling stations in 1,419 locations as ‘vulnerable’ for the elections. The Chief Election Commissioner said that webcasting of all critical polling stations will be done.
On the use of social media, the CEC said that the social media platforms have assured us to follow the voluntary code of ethics during State Assembly polls.
Expressing disappointment over the percentage of voting during Lok Sabha polls 2019 in Haryana, the CEC said that around 70 percent voting was registered during the Lok Sabha election while around 76 was registered during Vidhan Sabha polls 2014 in Haryana. The CEO, Haryana has been directed to make efforts to increase the voting percentage during this election, he said.
After the meeting with political parties, the Commission has directed the district magistrates and Police Officers to carefully look into law and order concerns. Additional Central security forces have been provided as per the requirement of the state. The officers were also asked to identify expenditure sensitive constituencies and make effective arrangements for the same, Arora said.
He added that for the first time in the entire state, VVPATs will also be used at all polling booths along with the EVM machines, he said.
Action to be taken against those seeking votes at religious functions
Responding to a question, the Chief Election Commissioner said that in view of festive season, the representatives of various political parties are allowed to attend the religious functions but they cannot seek votes from people on such occasions. The EC will take strict action against any violation in this regard, he said. The EC has also assured the political parties that stringent action will be taken against those who seek vote in the name of caste and religion, he added.
PR officers to be transferred
Following the complaints submitted by political parties, the Election Commission has ordered transfer of 10 PRO and APROs in Haryana. The Commission has also directed the Chief Secretary to ensure that the action is taken as per the EC's policy regarding the transfers of the officers. Sunil Arora said that we have ordered transfer of 10 PROs and APROs in the state and asked the district authorities to ensure that the officers work as an umpire and not a team player during the election.
On complaint submitted by political parties regarding launching of new development works during election season, the CEC said that the works already in progress during the announcement of election can be continued while no new development works can be initiated during the code of conduct. We have received complaints about new projects being launched and we are looking into it, Arora added.