During a meeting, ECI Board Chief Commissioner Rajiv Kumar urged officials from all states and territories, police, central agencies and all parties involved to work together towards a smooth election, coordination and cooperation.

The commissioner also called to give voters the security that they can exercise their democratic right without fear or intimidation.

The participants in the meeting reviewed the law and order situation, prevention of illicit activities, strict surveillance across interstate and international borders in order to prevent entry of illicit liquor, cash, drugs and weapons, diligent and adequate deployment of security forces throughout the country, as well as logistical support for their transportation in states bordering other electoral centers.

The Commission reviewed the support of the Indian Air Force and the civil aviation department in facilitating the dispatch of teams to regions identified as challenging, including Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, and directed to adopt protection measures for authorities and political candidates based on threat perception in states like Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir.

The ECI addressed the violence and unrest in Manipur and its possible influence on the conduct of the elections, and urged swift action to help those internally displaced and ensure their participation in the electoral process.

jrr/llp/jf/lrd