Get ready for Lok Sabha polls: EC to UP officials

LUCKNOW: The Election Commission on Thursday directed administrative and police officials to complete preparations to ensure peaceful and fair Lok Sabha polls by March 5.

A meeting of the divisional commissioners, IGP (zone), DIG (range), district magistrates, superintendents of police of all the 75 districts, returning officers of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies was held under the chairmanship of chief election commissioner Sunil Arora.

The Commission directed the officers to complete electoral roll revision, establishment of polling stations and security arrangements for conducting free and fair poll by March. Sources said the Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha election in the first week of March.

The DMs and SPs were directed to take appropriate measures to check political parties or candidates from flaming religious or caste passions during the election campaign. Action will be taken against the parties and candidates using caste and religion for electoral gain during the campaign, the Election Commission told the officers.

The officers were also directed to ensure the safety and proper transportation of the electronic voting machines (EVMs). The vehicles transporting EVMs will be equipped with the GPS to monitor the movement of the EVMs to the polling stations. Before polling, each EVM will be checked and faulty ones will be replaced to ensure smooth polling. The staff deputed for poll duty will be imparted training.

DMs were directed to the prepare a list of sensitive polling stations in their constituencies, following which deployment of adequate police force will be made at sensitive stations. The SPs were told to prepare a list of historysheeters active in their respective districts. Action will be taken against anti-social elements who try to disrupt the poll process or indulge in illegal activities.

Since polling will be held during summer, the DMs and returning officers were directed to make proper arrangement for water and sheds at the polling stations. Special arrangements will be made for the physically challenged, women and the aged at the polling stations.

The Election Commission pulled up officers whose presentation for holding polls in respective districts was inadequate. Some officers told the Commission that works are pending since they were transferred a few days back. The officers were told to complete all poll-related pending work on schedule.