Ensure implementation of action plan of ECI: Punjab CEO

Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, V K Singh today said all the officers have to ensure effective implementation of the action plan issued by the Election Commission, 72 hours prior to the date of polling.
The concerned officers shall be held squarely responsible in case of any laxity in the implementation of the ECI directive, he said.
Singh reviewed the electoral arrangements with the Nodal officers of police, administration, Income Tax and Excise and Taxation departments of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Taran Tarn, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Muktsar, Faridkot and Bathinda districts during a meeting here.
Addressing the officers, he said all the officials deputed on election duty should be fully trained and alert and whenever there is a seizure or any raid then the Income Tax department has to be informed accordingly.

Singh said any confidential information regarding the polls has to be shared with the senior officers without wasting any time so that the effort to lure voters with gifts, cash or liquor or any other intoxicants within 72 hours before the polling date, could be thwarted immediately.
He asked the officers to fix the prices of the goods being used by the candidates so that the candidates could furnish the documents regarding expenditure details to the ECI.

Singh also said the staff deputed on election duties should be well versed with the shift duties especially on the check posts and familiar with the villages and areas where they are posted.

He has asked the officers to keep an eye on the "Bhathis" where country liquor is made and sold.
The CEO reiterated that any negligence or dereliction of duty on the part of the officer or official would be dealt with firmly and senior officer would be held responsible for any lapse.
He also asked the officers to ensure that an official is given only one duty at a time.
The meeting was attended by state Police Nodal Officer, ADGP, V K Bhawra, Rohit Mehra from Income Tax Department and Gurtej Singh from Excise and Taxation department besides other officers of the department.