The Election Commission of India convened a high-level meeting today at Nirvachan Sadan, bringing together top officials from various enforcement agencies to craft a robust strategy aimed at curbing the circulation of cash, drugs, liquor, and other inducements that threaten the integrity of the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Commission said in a press statement.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, emphasized the crucial need for proactive and preventive measures during the electoral process.
The session, organized under the Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence (MDCEI), included representatives from key agencies such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Postal Department.
Senior officials from Bihar, including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, State Police Nodal Officer, and Chief Electoral Officer, joined virtually. Agencies presented updates on their preparations and ongoing initiatives to prevent misuse of money and inducements that could distort the electoral process.
The Commission stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation and intelligence sharing across agencies to effectively combat economic offenses. Highlighting the need for seamless coordination, the ECI directed law enforcement bodies at national, state, and district levels to work in close collaboration.
A critical task involves mapping constituencies and monitoring the movement of smuggled goods, narcotics, liquor, cash, and counterfeit currency along inter-state and international borders.
Reaffirming its commitment to clean elections, the Commission reiterated a ‘zero-tolerance’ stance toward any activities that undermine the democratic process in Bihar. The message was clear: any attempts to compromise the election will face strict action. This concerted effort aims to protect the sanctity of Bihar’s elections and bolster public confidence in the democratic system amid a complex political environment.
