The Election Commission has directed top officials of Bihar and its neighbouring states to tighten border security and curb the inflow of anti-social elements, drugs and inducements ahead of polling on November 6 and 11.
The Election Commission on Thursday reviewed the security and enforcement measures being taken to curb the entry of anti-social elements, drugs and inducements into poll-bound Bihar from neighbouring states and Nepal.
At a high-level coordination meeting, top officials from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, along with representatives from the Union Home Ministry, enforcement agencies and the Railways, presented their preparedness reports.
Polling in Bihar will take place in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with votes to be counted on November 14.
An official statement said the Commission’s top brass reviewed the overall law-and-order arrangements in Bihar and adjoining states, monitoring the movement of money, liquor, arms, narcotics, freebies and miscreants across inter-state and international borders. Special emphasis was laid on border districts and sealing entry points along the frontier with Nepal to prevent infiltration and maintain peace.
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The Commission also assessed the implementation of voter-facilitation guidelines, aimed at ensuring a smooth and pleasant polling experience. Officials were instructed to improve booth accessibility, ensure basic amenities and maintain strict vigil against any malpractice.
Chief secretaries and directors general of police of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, along with the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), were directed to maintain heightened surveillance in areas adjoining Bihar.
The EC urged states to intensify joint operations, strengthen checkpoints and coordinate real-time intelligence sharing. Law enforcement teams have been told to ensure that no unauthorised arms, liquor or cash cross state or international borders before voting.
Central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Income Tax Department, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), were also instructed to step up their vigilance. They were asked to maximise seizures based on actionable intelligence and intensify scrutiny of financial and narcotics networks suspected of influencing the polls.
The Commission emphasised the need for inter-agency coordination and accountability to ensure a peaceful, inducement-free and transparent election process across Bihar.
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