EC steps for peaceful assembly polls

As part of efforts to ensure peaceful, free and fair assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana, the Election Commission has directed the authorities to set up effective pickets and carry out patrolling to check influx of both licensed and illicit arms and ammunition into the poll-bound states.

The EC has also suggested measures to check illicit liquor and threatened action against known boot-leggers and smugglers of liquors, anti-social elements, known criminals and communal elements.

"An effective surveillance needs to be mounted on their activities with immediate effect," the EC told directors general of police and home secretaries of Maharashtra and Haryana and also of their adjoining states last week while reviewing the poll preparedness.

Home secretaries and DGPs of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Daman also attended the review meeting, the EC said in a press note on Tuesday.

Effective checks should also be kept on unauthorized vehicles, carrying men, money and other material which may cause disturbance to peace and order, and on licensed arms shops.