ECI assures all measures for smooth polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 22 2017: Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi has said that the Election Commission of India is doing everything in its power to ensure a smooth and fair election for the coming 11th State Assembly polls in the State.

Nasim, who is also leading the full ECI team which came yesterday on a two day visit to review the election preparations in the State, made the assurance at the launch of a Coffee Table Book published by the CEO, Manipur, at Hotel Classic Grande.

Speaking to media persons, he said, "We have met and talked with the various political parties along with taking feedback and providing advice.

We have also reviewed the various preparations related to the coming election by the District Magistrates, District Election Officers, State Nodal Police Officers, IGs, DIGs, Senior SPs, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) coordinators" .

He also pointed out that they have met senior officials of Income Tax, Narcotics, Excise and other enforcement agencies of the State.

Nasim said that the ECI team, after hearing the concern of the political parties, assured them that they have notified the election machinery to take up extra measures to ensure smooth election in parts of the State which are experiencing civil unrest.

"We have also notified all the security agencies to take up extra security measures, exercise area domination and do a through mapping of vulnerable locations and instructed the political parties to give a list of wary areas or location to the DEOs or SPs concerned", he added.

According to Nasim, the full ECI team has also notified all the political parties that they will ensure proper set ups and operation of EVMs and also take up measures to enable people from village or remote places to familiarise themselves with the technology.

He said that proper security would be provided to the political parties according to norms adding that they have directed the political parties to stay alert and take up steps regarding expenditure machinery.

Speaking about law and order, Nasim said, "We have already sent out 20 General Observers, 20 Police Observers, 20 Expenditure Observers and 7 Awareness Observers who will act as the eyes and ears of the commission.

"We will also ramp up additional security measures at 18 sensitive Constituencies, 352 vulnerable and 837 critical polling stations", he added.

Nasim further said that the ECI full team has directed the DMs and SPs to launch regular jail inspections and to give parole with intense security safeguards.

CAPF personnel will be posted at their area of operations prior to the polls and would be directed to regularly patrol the roads around the area in order to avoid unwanted incidents.

The ECI full team has also notified the authorities concerned to intensify their drive against smuggling of drugs and unlawful items through the borders with Myanmar and others.

The CEC further assured many measures including a helicopter at stand-by for emergency services, use of boats for areas near water bodies, use of webcasting and video recordings at the polling stations and proper action against individuals or parties using force and intimidation.

Nasim said, "10041 out of 20178 total licensed guns have been surrendered to the respective police stations till now.

In the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, the number was only 5.5 percent while in the 2012 Assembly election, the number was 13.50 percent" .

Replying to a query, he said that the economic blockade will not pose any problem to the coming election.

"We have talked with the CAF&PD Department, FCI and other departments concerned and the State have also assured all possible help regarding the issue", he added.

All the officials concerned have been directed to properly implement the model code of conduct and all the Income tax, Excise, Narcotics and Customs officials have been mobilised.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) devices will be used for the first time in six A/Cs namely Singjamei, Uripok, Thoubal, Nambol, Yaiskul and Khurai.

Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System will also be used for the first time in Manipur in Thangmeiband (54 service voters) and Yaiskul (34 service voters) .

CEC Nasim Zaidi said, "There will be 2794 polling stations.

Additional preparations like facilities for wheel chair, waiting area, queue assistance, ramps and escorts have been made for 4306 persons with disabilities.

Preparations are also underway to supply Braille photo voter slip and Braille balot to Imphal East.

Imphal West, Tamenglong and Churachandpur" .

He appealed to the people of Manipur to ensure a smooth and peaceful operation of the election where 19,02,562 (9,28,573 male and 9,73,989 female) voters will decide the fate of 266 candidates.

Nasim further urged the people to support the political parties, media, civil societies, youth, communities and the Commissioner.

He pointed out that the Commission would not take rule breakers lightly and urged the people to make use of the phone numbers, social networking sites, call centre and the authorities concerned to report any mischief or wrongdoings with regard to the coming election.

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