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News18 has learnt that the Election Commission held a review meeting with the chief secretaries, directors general of police, and other top officials of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and their border states to assess the law-and-order situation
Rs 345 crore worth of seizures have been made since the announcement of the election schedule: Rs 114 crore in Jharkhand, Rs 175 crore in Maharashtra, and the remaining from the states where bye-elections will be held. (Representational image: ANI)
While assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand are less than a month away, the seizure of poll-related inducements in these states has already surpassed 2019 levels. The Election Commission of India has consequently issued orders for stepping up efforts to curb the inflow of cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and other freebies.
News18 has learnt that the ECI held a review meeting with the chief secretaries, directors general of police, and other top officials of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and their border states to assess the law-and-order situation.
“During the review, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar expressed concern over politically motivated crimes in Maharashtra and asked the state DGP to ensure a strict clampdown against such crimes which vitiate the electoral atmosphere and disturb the level playing field,” a source said.
Further, Rs 345 crore worth of seizures have been made since the announcement of the election schedule: Rs 114 crore in Jharkhand, Rs 175 crore in Maharashtra, and the remaining from the states where bye-elections will be held.
“Seizures in Maharashtra and Jharkhand so far have already surpassed 2019 assembly election seizures by 2.3 times, which were a total of Rs 122.67 crore,” a source said.
The commission, according to sources, has issued strict instructions for stepping up efforts to curb the inflow of inducements including cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and other freebies to the poll-bound states.
CEC Kumar also cautioned the administration and law enforcement officials in Jharkhand to be even-handed in their dealings with political functionaries and ensure that no authority is exercised in a mala fide manner.
The commission underscored the importance of strict vigilance and intelligence to curb the movement of contraband items, including narcotics, liquor, arms, and explosives across inter-state borders.
The poll body also directed the states to identify exit and entry points for the movement of such illicit items for strict vigil and seizures.
All the assembly seats in Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20 and the counting of votes will be held on November 23.
Jharkhand will have elections in two phases, November 13 and November 20, with the same counting date as Maharashtra.