STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Feb 17: A full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, on Tuesday held a series of meetings with political parties, election officials and senior police officers in Guwahati to review preparedness for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
The CEC, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, along with senior ECI officials, met representatives of recognised national and state political parties at a hotel in the city.
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Assam Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel was present during the discussions.
Among national parties, the Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI(M) and the Congress attended the meetings, while state parties including the AIUDF, Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People’s Front and United People’s Party Liberal also held separate interactions with the Commission.
During the discussions, most political parties urged the ECI to conduct the Assembly elections in a single phase or at most two phases.
They also requested that poll dates be scheduled keeping in view the Bihu festival.
Officials said political parties generally appreciated the special revision of electoral rolls and offered suggestions to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of the elections.
Following the party meetings, the Commission held a review session with Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General-level police officers, District Election Officers-cum-District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police to assess law and order preparedness, logistics and coordination.
The ECI delegation, which arrived in Assam on Monday, is on a multi-day visit to review various aspects of election readiness, including security deployment, electoral roll management and administrative arrangements.
On Wednesday, the Commission is scheduled to hold further meetings with enforcement agencies, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior state officials before concluding the visit with a press briefing.
Elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly are expected to be held in March–April, with the current Assembly’s term ending on May 20.
