Special Observers reviews election preparedness in Meghalaya

Senior Special Observers deputed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday reviewed the electoral preparedness in the state in connection with the ensuing Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Elections, 2023.
Special General Observer, Y. Tripathi, Special Police Observer, V. Johri, and Special Expenditure Observer, B. Murli Kumar reviewed the electoral preparedness of Deputy Commissioners, Superintendent of Police, and Nodal Officers’ Election Expenditure Management in all 12 districts of the State.
The Special Observer impressed on the entire State and Central election machineries to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and simultaneously also instructed strict adherence to Election Commission – Timelines in respect of various critical activities of the electoral cycle.
They also reviewed arrangements pertaining to logistics and Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) besides Law and Order arrangements and active deployment of CAPF to instill confidence in the hearts and minds of the voters.
On the Expenditure side, the Special Expenditure Observer stressed on requirement for proper coordination amongst various enforcement agencies, activize the number of FST & SST deployed, generating enhanced awareness of C-Vigil and Toll-Free number, coordination mechanism with BSF in the International border, FST vehicles to be equipped with GPS tracking, and all LBMs to ensure that all Banks are to submit daily reports on suspicious transactions to DEO and Income Tax, etc.
Earlier on Friday, the team had a detailed review meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer, the State Police Nodal Officer in the presence of the Chief Secretary, and the DGP.
This was followed by the State level review on aspects related to Election Expenditure Monitoring of both Central and State enforcement agencies which were represented by their respective Nodal Officers comprising of agencies such as Income Tax, CGST, ED, NCB, DRI, CBIC, SLBC, RBI, Airport Director, and State Police, Excise, Forest, and State GST Commissioners.