ECI Orders Tight Border Vigil Ahead of Bihar Polls
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reviews inter-state coordination to ensure peaceful, inducement-free elections
- ECI held a review meeting with top officials of Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, and West Bengal.
- Strict monitoring ordered on movement of cash, liquor, arms, and freebies across borders.
- Central agencies directed to intensify intelligence-based seizures before polls.
- Commission reiterates its commitment to free, fair, and peaceful elections.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Oct: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday conducted a high-level review meeting to assess inter-state border preparedness for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, stressing strict vigilance to ensure peaceful and inducement-free polling.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, chaired the meeting with Chief Secretaries, DGPs, and Principal Secretaries (Home) of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Railways, and multiple enforcement agencies were also present.
The Commission reviewed law-and-order arrangements, directing enhanced monitoring of movement of men, money, liquor, arms, narcotics, and freebies across state and international borders — particularly those adjoining Nepal. It emphasized sealing of border areas and maintaining strict checks to prevent any electoral malpractices.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar reiterated the Commission’s resolve to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections, calling for seamless coordination among all enforcement and administrative agencies. “All stakeholders must work together to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process,” he said.
The ECI also reviewed compliance of voter facilitation measures, instructing authorities to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for voters on polling day.
Central enforcement agencies including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Income Tax Department, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) were directed to intensify efforts and maximize seizures based on actionable intelligence in the run-up to the polls.
The Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and the DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were specifically tasked with maintaining heightened vigilance and strengthening inter-state coordination.
