The Election Commission (ECI) today said it attaches highest significance to create a conducive environment for free and fair polls in Manipur, scheduled in early 2017.
"The ECI had directed the law-enforcing agencies in the state to reassess vulnerable locations and prepare a comprehensive security management plan from the grassroots level, as the state faces the problem of insurgency," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told reporters during a press briefing on "poll preparation for assembly elections 2017".
He said webcasting and CCTV arrangement should be maximised and all critical polling stations out of the existing 2,794 ones must be covered under these arrangements.
The ECI team, which was on a two-day visit to the state, further directed concerned authorities to complete database of central and state government employees for assessment of deployable strength of election personnel in different categories and instructed that mandatory certification course for officials be introduced so that errors were not committed in the upcoming polls.
Taking note of the allegations of rampant bribing of voters through gifts, cash, feasts which was highlighted by the representatives of the political parties it met, the ECI team also said it will take all steps to curb the menace by activating Comprehensive Expenditure Monitoring machinery with the assistance of the banks, income tax, customs and Excise & Taxation authorities.
Terming media as a friend of the ECI, Zaidi said all
election-related reports, complaints and issues highlighted in the media would be taken seriously and corrective action be taken by the field functionaries.
During the briefing, he said the ECI met all political parties, law-enforcing agencies, chief secretary and other top government officers to ensure that the scheduled polls be conducted in a transparent manner without intimidation from any side.
Zaidi also informed that all political parties have requested for a Single Phase elections and for announcement for the polls ahead of three months so that the model code of conduct can be enforced to prevent misuse of official government machineries.
On the use of mobile apps and other IT applications including GPS-tracking of Flying Squads and Shadow Register Tracking, the ECI directed the state election machinery that all applications developed for the previous elections be studied at the earliest and implemented at the optimum level.
Meanwhile, the State election machinery led by State Electoral officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan has proposed to launch a Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign titled "My vote is not for sale".
At present, the state has a total of 18,07,843 registered voters on the electoral rolls, with 100 per cent photo coverage.
