Robust strategy to prevent use of money, drugs in Punjab: CEC

The Election Commission today said a "robust strategy" would be prepared to prevent distribution of drugs, liquor and cash in poll-bound Punjab, while asserting that the body has "strong will power" to deal with the menace.
"We will not allow anybody to influence the election process with the distribution of drugs, liquor and money. If anybody is found playing such a role, we can assure you that legal action will be taken against him," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said at a press conference here.
"We have discussed several issues related with income tax, drug distribution etc with all enforcement agencies, including income tax department, state narcotics, central narcotics, excise, transport department and banks.

"We have asked the departments concerned to prepare a robust strategy by November 15. It will be activated before the code of conduct comes into play, so that we can contain their misuse to a large extent during elections," he said.
The Chief Election Commissioner said the Commission was "committed, determined and has strong will power to minimise these things."
Zaidi said the Commission had met with all stakeholders, including political parties for ensuring smooth and fair state Assembly polls, scheduled next year.

He said the parties pointed out the alleged nexus between the police and local politicians.
The Election Commission is also closely monitoring local police officers and police stations, which are under influence of politicians.

Zaidi added that political leaders cutting across party lines expressed their apprehension over the "menace of drugs in Punjab and the possibility of their misuse in the coming elections".
"All stakeholders have brought out this issue of drug problem. You are already aware of the multifaceted dimension of this problem in the state. So, the Commission has taken a serious note of the feedback given by parties that drugs might be distributed during election process.
"The matter is being discussed with relevant enforcement agencies," he said.
The Chief Election Commissioner said it was crucial to
monitor police stations during election times as "it is here that threat, intimidation or influencing of the election process by anti-social elements takes place."

"Therefore, we have created a database of police stations and we are determining which police stations are 'sensitive', or which police officers are working properly and which police officers or stations are under the influence of local politicians. All of this will be on our radar," Zaidi, who was flanked by Election Commissioners Achal Kumar Joti and Om Prakash Rawat, said.
Zaidi said the Commission would continue to assess the performance, background, competence and merit of civil and police officials in order to ensure that they remain unbiased during the election process.
Political parties demanded from the EC that postings of local, civic and police officials be strictly reviewed.

The CEC said adequate Central police force would be provided to Punjab for the upcoming elections.
"Political parties have requested us that rather than local police, Central forces should be deployed at polling stations. We have conducted elections in five states and 100 per cent Central forces were deployed at polling stations. We will provide adequate police force so that the nexus at local level to influence (elections) cannot bear fruit," he said.
Zaidi said the Commission has also taken into account the parties' concern over possible violence during the polls.
"We are already in discussion with the state and district police officials and will take all steps to ensure that polls are peaceful," he said.

He said the district police officials had been asked to conduct "vulnerable mapping" in order to identify the pockets where musclemen may threaten voters, so that protection can be given to the people.
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On being asked about the legal binding of election manifestos, CEC told reporters that there were guidelines under the model code of conduct in connection with election manifestos.
"Political parties have to file a copy of manifestos with the Commission as soon as they release it. There is a standing mechanism within the Commission, which analyses it and wherever we find variations, we send notices and direct them to correct the manifestos as per our guidelines," he said.

A nine-member delegation of the Election Commission had arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to undertake group-level review of the preparations for the state Assembly polls.
Various parties, including Congress and AAP had met the delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi.
On the concern shown by political parties about EVMs, CEC said, "Our EVMs are tamper-proof and there cannot be any problems with that."
Zaidi said the registration of NRI voters was very low and that it was an issue of concern.
"We are conducting a survey to know why they are not getting registered. When we receive the findings, we will see what steps can be taken," he said, adding that the Commission had given a proposal that electronic portal facility be given to such voters and that it was under the consideration of the Law ministry.

Underlining other issues raised by the parties with the Commission, the CEC said the leaders have requested that as soon as the model code of conduct is enforced, all political parties should get equal opportunity of displaying their hoardings, posters and flags.
"Some political parties have also demanded that there should be a ban on blue ration cards issued under the scheme of the government carrying pictures of political functionaries because they say once the code of conduct comes into force, such an exercise would be a violation of rules," he said.
The parties also hit out at the "mixing of politics and religion" during the election period.

"They (parties) have also requested that there should be enhanced use of web casting and CCTV coverage, particularly in those areas vulnerable to caste, communal, political or socio economic sensitivity," said Zaidi.
The CEC said political parties also pointed out that a large number of contractual staff and Anganwadi workers were usually involved in preparation of electoral rolls.
"Therefore, they have demanded that first preference should be given to government officials or teachers to carry out the election work," he said.
Describing the phenomenon of paid news as a "big
problem", the Election Commission said, "Some kind of strategy needs to be evolved in consultation with stakeholders (on paid news)."

The political parties also drew the attention of the Commission towards transfer of electoral registration officers during summary revision process.
"We have also asked police authorities to undertake verification of licensed arms, except those which will be exempted by district level committees," Zaidi said, adding that similarly execution of non-bailable warrant have been expedited and being reviewed by police.
With Punjab sharing the international border, the CEC said efforts were being made to secure the IB and state borders to prevent any kind of smuggling of liquor and drugs.
Six districts --Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur of Punjab share the international border.
To ensure that returning officers do their job effectively, CEC said that a certification programme has been launched for them for the first time, whereby intense training will be imparted to them.
He also emphasised on using IT applications and mobile apps during the Assembly elections.