EC asks enforcement agencies in Bengal to act in poll mode

Kolkata: In view of the forthcoming Bengal assembly polls, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday directed central and state enforcement agencies to act proactively and promptly. At a virtual review meeting with the heads and nodal officers of 25 enforcement agencies, senior deputy election commissioner Gyanesh Bharti instructed them to function in full election mode, sources said."The full bench of the commission will hold a review meeting on poll preparedness on Monday and Tuesday. Ahead of that, senior EC officials briefed enforcement agencies on their duties and responsibilities during the elections. The agencies have been asked to begin search and seizure operations of illegal cash and arms, and maintain extra vigilance along borders to prevent unlawful activities during the election period," sources added.
During the meeting, officials from India Post were directed to ensure the timely delivery of postal ballots and EPICs. The income tax department and GST authorities were also asked to begin preparatory work in view of the elections.According to the itinerary, the EC's full bench—chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi—will arrive in Kolkata on Sunday night. On Monday, they will meet recognised national and state political parties from 10 am to 12 pm. Meetings with DEOs, SPs, CPs and IG/DIG Range will also be held.On Tuesday, the EC will hold further meetings with senior state administrative officials, including chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty and DGP Peeyush Pandey.