Vigilance must be maintained at all state and international borders to stop the flow of illegal goods, including freebies, currency, drugs, alcohol, and weapons.

The Election Commission of India today convened a major meeting with all the states/UTs to review and assess the law and order situation, prevention of illegal activities, seizure and strict vigilance across state and international borders for the ongoing general and state elections of Lok Sabha. . 2024 Legislative Assemblies for free, fair, peaceful and incitement-free elections. The objective of the combined review was to bring all relevant stakeholders on the same platform for smooth coordination and cooperation between the officials of the neighboring countries/UTs and the central authorities of the border guard. The committee thoroughly reviewed the critical issues related to each State/UT.

The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar and EC members Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was attended by senior officials of the States/UTs and the Centre. . authorities guarding the border..

In his opening speech, CEC Rajiv Kumar emphasized the commission’s commitment to ensure free, fair, peaceful and incitement-free elections and urged all stakeholders to work together seamlessly to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure a level playing field. He directed the States/UTs to ensure that every voter can exercise his right to vote without fear or intimidation. CEC Shri Kumar called upon all States/UTs and agencies to translate their resolutions into concrete actions to conduct free, fair, peaceful and fearless elections..

The main issues discussed in the meeting were the need to strengthen coordination among neighboring states/UTs, careful implementation of CAPF, which is quite comprehensive in all states/UTs; Logistical support for the movement and transport of CAPF personnel in the neighboring country/UT; identification and monitoring of flashpoints in border areas that may affect the electoral process; proactive measures to eliminate communal tensions based on past experiences and the need to protect porous borders from illegal activities. The commission emphasized the importance of strict vigilance to prevent the movement of contraband, including drugs, alcohol, weapons and explosives across international borders. The aim is to identify points of entry and exit for the movement of alcohol and cash at the border, limiting the cultivation of illegal ganja in some states..

The Commission reviewed support from Indian Air force and state civil aviation department for sorties to ferry polling teams in challenging regions of 11 states like Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra. Directions were given for adequate security measures to safeguard political functionaries and candidates based on threat perception, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh and Jammu and Kashmir. The recent violence and turmoil in Manipur and ramifications in conduct of peaceful elections were also addressed, with the Commission urging swift action to assist Internally Displaced Persons and ensure their participation in the electoral process.

The following general directions were given:

Law and Order related

Integrated check posts at International and Inter state borders for strict surveillance
Sharing of Intelligence on criminals and antisocial elements between bordering districts
Sealing of inter-state borders for preventing bogus voting during last 48 hours
Regular inter-state coordination meetings of border districts
Intensify patrolling on inter-state border districts by state police
Additional nakas to be set up at strategic locations in coordination with bordering states.
Seal inter-state border on poll day
Excise Commissioners of bordering states/UTs to ensure checking of genuineness of the permits, surprise checks of liquor shops especially in border districts.
Timely deposition of licensed weapons and execution of Non- Bailable Warrants
Action against absconders, history sheeters, criminals involved in election related offences
Adequate security cover to political functionaries/ candidates based on threat perception
Expenditure Monitoring:

Plugging the inflow of illicit liquor, cash, drugs along inter-state and international borders.
Strengthening monitoring at checkposts with CCTV Camera installation
Joint checking and operations by police, excise, transport, GST and forest department
Strict vigil along helipads, airports, bus stations and railway stations
Strict action against liquor and drug kingpins; curtail flow of country made liquor; establish forward and backward linkages to plug it systemically
Mapping of sensitive routes for transport of liquor, cash, drugs and freebies
Directions to Central Agencies

Strict vigil along Indo-Myanmar border by Assam Rifles; Indo Nepal Border by SSB especially in areas having porous border with Nepal; Indo- Bangladesh border and western borders by BSF; Indo-China border by ITBP, and in states with coastal area by Indian Coast Guard.
Assam Rifles to hold regular joint security coordination meetings with State Police, CAPF, etc.
SSB to keep strict watch over international borders with Nepal and Bangladesh for any illicit activity, specially before 72 hours of poll.
Ensure area familiarization for newly inducted CAPF companies in coordination with civil administration.
Establish Joint Check Posts in coordination with State Police
Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary (Home), Pr Secretary (Excise), Chief Electoral officer and State Police Nodal Officer of all States/UTs. Heads of Central Agencies involved in guarding borders namely Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo Tibetan Border Police and Coast Guard along with heads of CRPF, Central CAPF nodal officer, Additional Secretary MHA and representatives from M/o Defence and Railways attended the review meeting..