ECI reviews Maharashtra Assembly poll preparedness

The Election Commission of India ECI has requested updates on the first information reports FIRs linked to electoral offences during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Superintendents of Police SPs in the state during a review meeting on the statersquos preparedness for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections sources told ANIAccording to sources Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar instructed the SPs to assess all cases involving personnel Electronic Voting Machines EVMs and social media The CEC emphasised over the need for swift action and response to fake news circulated on social media news agency ANI statedState Police Nodal Officers were urged to expedite all 2024 Lok Sabharelated cases ensuring no delays in bringing them to conclusion sources informedDuring the meeting Kumar further directed all the District Election Officers DEOs and SPs to ensure adequate facilities and efficient queue management at polling stations He urged DEOs to visit the polling stations to inspect the arrangements install benches for voters while waiting in queues provide drinking water and manage parking in congested areas Additionally it was noted that polling stations in shared locations should have clear signage and directions to guide voters sources statedSome of the facilities introduced for voters above 85 years as well as persons with disabilities include holding polling on ground floor building ramps with proper gradient providing volunteer and wheelchair facility giving them priority in voting and making home voting available For home voting citizens can fill Form 12 DThe ECI team led by Kumar is on a twoday visit to Mumbai to assess preparations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections During the review meeting on Friday with senior officials the CEC questioned why over 100 police inspectors continue to hold key positions in Mumbai ANI reportedSources revealed that Kumar highlighted that despite an order issued on July 31 to relocate officers who have served in their home district or current post for more than three years the state administration is yet to fully implement the directive ANI reported that Kumar voiced his dissatisfaction with the state administrationrsquos lack of compliance ECI has requested a formal explanation from the state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police for not fully executing the transfer orders ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly electionsAdditionally the CEC reprimanded the Excise Commissioner of the state issuing strict instructions to halt the flow of illicit liquor from neighbouring states in the runup to the Maharashtra Assembly elections The Excise Commissioner has been directed to closely monitor the movement and distribution of illegal liquor in the state sources said288 seats in fray in MaharashtraThe forthcoming elections will witness a contest between the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi alliance consisting of the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar and Congress and the Mahayuti alliance which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawarled NCPThe Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in 288 constituencies with the Election Commission yet to announce the official polling dates though the term of the current assembly ends on November 26 Of the 288 seats 25 are reserved for the members of the Scheduled Tribe ST community and 29 for Scheduled CastesAccording to ECI 959 crore will cast their ballot for the Maharashtra Assembly polls Of these495 crore are male voters 464 female voters and 5997 people are those who identify themselves as the third gender There are more than 19 lakh firsttime voters in the state ECI saidWith ANI inputs