A delegation from the Election Commission of India (ECI), headed by Deputy Election Commissioners Hirdesh Kumar and Ajay Bhadoo, convened an interstate meeting to assess election readiness in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on Tuesday before the impending Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
High-ranking bureaucrats, police officials, departmental nodal officers, and senior representatives from enforcement agencies such as the Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Customs, and other relevant officials from Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh participated in the meeting to evaluate election preparations and ensure coordination on law and order matters.
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C mentioned that during the meeting, the ECI team instructed state teams to increase surveillance on state borders. State authorities affirmed their commitment to bolster interstate coordination to facilitate a seamless electoral process.
The team particularly emphasized the importance of vigilance at interstate checkpoints bordering neighboring states to prevent any movement of illicit cash, liquor, drugs or freebies.
The CEO added that the ECI team was briefed on the directive for state officials to intensify confiscations, with assistance from neighboring border states, and to instill a sense of administrative accountability among offenders. This measure aims to ensure a transparent and equitable election process within the state.
“We have enhanced vigil across the state to conduct a free and fair election,” the CEO added. The team specifically urged the police and CRPF units to maintain vigilant surveillance and assist in curtailing the drug menace.
Punjab comprises 13 Lok Sabha seats, with four reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the Congress-led UPA alliance secured 8 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won four. Additionally, the AAP, contesting for the first time in the state, secured one seat.
In Haryana, the BJP won all 10 seats in the previous elections. The Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.