Chandigarh, Dec 24 (PTI) With the Punjab polls set to take place on January 30, the Election Commission today said it has planned various measures to prevent misuse of drugs and liquor in the state. “The Commission had received several complaints from different parties fearing misuse of drugs, liquor and money during the polls. The DGP also sent us a report in this regard, which we have forwarded to the EC. We have asked every district to have a plan to check this abuse…,” state Chief Electoral Officer, Kusumjit Sidhu said at a press conference. While the issue of notification of the polls will take place on January 5, the last date of filing nominations is January 12, Sidhu said, adding that the scrutiny will take place the following day. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 16 and the entire poll process will be completed on March 9. The use of Electoral Photo Identity Cards will be made mandatory and by January 2, 99.66 per cent of EPICs of the total electorate of 1,74,33,332 will be covered, he said. As many as 19,724 polling booths will be set up for the polls, out of which nearly 15-20 per cent shall be declared vulnerable/ sensitive, she said. To keep an eye on poll expenses, expenditure monitoring committees will keep vigil from today while poll observers shall reach Punjab within a few days, she said. With Model Code of Conduct coming into force, there will be a total ban on transfers, she said. Surveillance teams will be set up across the state which will carry out random checking of vehicles and remedial action in case of complaints pertaining to expenditure, Kaur said. In case any cash/jewellery of value above Rs 1 lakh is found and the person is unable to explain its source, it is liable to be seized and handed over to the I-T officials, Sidhu said.
News Source: IBN
