The Election Commission (EC) made it clear to central and state enforcement agencies that it will have ‘zero tolerance towards use of money power’ in the forthcoming Jharkhand assembly elections.
The ECI’s bench comprising the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. SS Sandhu, were in Jharkhand on a two-day visit to review the poll preparedness, law and order situation and other election-related issues. The team held meetings with political parties, security forces and other stakeholders.
During the review meeting with nearly 20 central and state enforcement agencies like DRI, NCB, state and central GST, RPF, RBI, state police, income tax, enforcement directorate, etc, the commission emphasized its commitment to inducement-free elections. The CEC Rajiv Kumar cautioned the officials to avoid any undue harassment of the public in the name of checking during the elections.
The EC further instructed all enforcement agencies to coordinate efforts to curb the inflow of illicit liquor, cash, and drugs in the state and synchronize their route maps. Additionally, the police and excise departments were directed to target liquor and drug kingpins while focusing on inter-state border and Naka arrangements, particularly those related to the inflow of contraband from West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar.