Agartala:The Election Commission has been enriched by all the past experiences of Tripura elections. Therefore, the next assembly elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner. This was stated by the Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar at a press conference on Thursday after visiting Tripura.
Rajeev Kumar told that the Election Commission has held a meeting yesterday with all political parties, the District Magistrate, the District Superintendent of Police, Returning Officer, the Director General of Police, the Chief Secretary and others. Information about the preparations for the assembly elections has been given. It has been said in it that all preparations have been done properly for the assembly elections in Tripura. There is a situation of free and fair elections in Tripura. Strict instructions have been given to all the people associated with the election to maintain this position. The commission is seeking everyone’s cooperation in this regard.
Rajeev Kumar said that in most of the states of the country, violence has reduced before and after the elections. All those connected with the election have been told that every political party should be given an opportunity to participate in the election. Voters should be guaranteed the right to vote in a fear-free environment. If they are negligent in this matter, they will have to answer. If needed, the commission will take strict action.
The Chief Election Commissioner informed that central paramilitary forces will be deployed at all polling stations. Strict security arrangements will also be made for the monitoring of EVMs. Even the central paramilitary forces will be in charge of security at all checkposts and naka points. The observers will be responsible for the deployment of central forces. The security of the candidates and polling and counting agents will be ensured by the District Magistrate and the District Superintendent of Police.
He informed me that there will be a system to report election-related complaints in the SDM’s office. Complaints can also be made through EVGIL Apps. Along with this, there will be a webcasting system at 50 percent of polling stations. In such a situation, the election officials will have to ensure that all the cameras are operational. There will be a micro-observer at all the booths. He will be a central employee.
He made it clear that no meeting or campaigning can be done after the election campaign period is over. Even political parties will have to take the approval of the MCMC committee for advertisements in elections. Also told that a team will be formed to check the veracity of fake news. If needed in this matter, the commission will take strict action. Apart from this, the strict vigil will be kept on drug trafficking and illegal financial transactions.
Rajeev Kumar informed that initiatives have been taken to empower women, differently-abled and new voters in the upcoming elections. Security will be provided to candidates of all political parties along with voters. He also said in a sarcastic tone that it is the nature of many people to find motives in the electoral process. The purpose of the commission is to ensure the right of the people to vote. Any type of negligence will not be tolerated in this regard.
