ECI gives security as highest priority for Manipur elections

Imphal, Sep 21 (PTI) The Election Commission (ECI) todaysaid it attaches highest significance to create a conduciveenvironment for free and fair polls in Manipur, scheduled inearly 2017. "The ECI had directed the law-enforcing agencies in thestate to reassess vulnerable locations and prepare acomprehensive security management plan from the grassrootslevel, as the state faces the problem of insurgency," ChiefElection Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told reporters during apress briefing on "poll preparation for assembly elections2017". He said webcasting and CCTV arrangement should bemaximised and all critical polling stations out of theexisting 2,794 ones must be covered under these arrangements. The ECI team, which was on a two-day visit to the state,further directed concerned authorities to complete database ofcentral and state government employees for assessment ofdeployable strength of election personnel in differentcategories and instructed that mandatory certification coursefor officials be introduced so that errors were not committedin the upcoming polls. Taking note of the allegations of rampant bribing ofvoters through gifts, cash, feasts which was highlighted bythe representatives of the political parties it met, the ECIteam also said it will take all steps to curb the menace byactivating Comprehensive Expenditure Monitoring machinery withthe assistance of the banks, income tax, customs and Excise &Taxation authorities. (More) PTI COR SUSSMJ