Poll panel asks officials to ensure neutral election machine

The Election Commission Thursday asked senior state officials to ensure neutrality and impartiality of the election machinery during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The poll panel held a meeting here with chief secretaries, home secretaries, directors general of police, chief electoral officers and nodal officers to review the preparedness states for the conduct of the general elections.

An official press release said that the commission reviewed the status of compliance of its instructions regarding transfers and postings, filling up of election-related vacancies and budget provision for elections.

The commission took feedback from the officials about the law and order situation and emphasised the need for inter-state coordination for ensuring free, fair and peaceful election process across the country.

"While expressing satisfaction about the overall preparedness, the commission directed that neutrality and impartiality of the election machinery shall be ensured, without any deviation," the release said

It said that the commission also asked the officials to carry out vulnerability mapping exercise to identify vulnerable areas and segments of voters and take advance precautionary measures to ensure free and fair exercise of franchise by the voters.

The commission said that basic minimum facilities shall be in place in all polling stations.

Senior officials from ministries of home, railway and communications were also present in the meeting.

The commission sought cooperation of all states and union territories in conducting yet "another round of efficient and credible elections in the country".