Use of drugs in polls serious concern: CEC

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 25

As all opposition parties are apprehending the large-scale use of drugs and liquor during the Assembly elections scheduled early next year, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr Nasim Zaidi today said the issue had “engaged the commission’s very serious attention.”

Stating that the commission had already started discussions with the enforcement agencies concerned to deal with the issue, Dr Zaidi said they would finalise a strategy to minimise the use of drugs during the elections in the next couple of weeks.

He said this while addressing the media on the last day of his three-day visit to the city to assess poll preparedness.

“The commission has taken a serious note of the feedback given by all stakeholders about the widespread use of drugs. The feedback that drugs might be distributed during the election process has engaged our very serious attention,” he said.

He also hinted that the commission could consider deputing central paramilitary forces at all polling stations. Dr Zaidi said: “The commission had ensured deployment of central forces at 100 per cent polling stations during the recent elections in some states. We have received a similar request for Punjab. We will assess it and provide adequate central police force so that no nexus should influence the election process.”

He said eligible voters, who couldn't enrol themselves in the last phase of the summary revision that concluded on October 7, could still get themselves registered.

Auxiliary polling stations would be set up in leper/TB sanatoriums, old-age homes and homes for visually impaired for the ease and facilitation of electors.