New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) As Bihar gears up for its Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has stepped up efforts to ensure a clean and fair voting process.
The Commission issued stringent directives to enforcement agencies today to curb the use of money power, freebies, and illicit inducements, such as drugs, narcotics, and liquor, that could influence voters in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and eight concurrent bye-elections across seven states.
The Bihar Assembly elections are set for two phases, November 6 and 11, while the bye-elections for eight assembly seats will be held on November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.
To maintain electoral integrity, the ECI has deployed Expenditure Observers across constituencies to closely monitor campaign spending. Flying squads and surveillance teams are kept on high alert around the clock, tasked with identifying and intercepting any attempts to deploy money or other inducements to sway voters.
An advanced Election Seizure Management System remains active, enabling real-time reporting of seizures and interceptions. Citizens are also empowered to participate in safeguarding democracy through the C-Vigil app, which allows them to report any violations directly to authorities.
Since the election announcement on October 6, enforcement agencies have already seized nearly Rs 34 crore in cash, liquor, drugs, and other freebies, signaling vigorous action against malpractice.
The ECI has also underscored the importance of respecting voters’ rights during enforcement activities, advising authorities to conduct checks without causing inconvenience or harassment to ordinary citizens.
This comprehensive crackdown reflects the Commission’s commitment to uphold transparency and fairness in one of India’s most politically significant elections.
