EC to keep tight vigil on candidates' poll expenses, paid news

Chief election commissioner (CEC) VS Sampath and other officials held a meeting in Jaipur on Thursday with political parties on poll-related issues.

The team, led by Sampath, was in Jaipur to review preparations in the poll-bound state. The team met representatives of Congress, BJP, BSP and CPI.

Sources said Sampath made it clear to all political parties that Election Commission (EC) would keep a close eye on election expenditure of candidates, paid news etc.

Deputy election commissioner Sudhir Tripathi also held separate meetings with officials and directed them to make efforts to increase voter turnout for the polls.
Tripathi told senior cops and election officials that peaceful elections ought to be the priority of all.

The EC officials also directed them to keep an extra vigil in sensitive areas and at sensitive polling booths.

Sources said that details of requirement of police force to conduct election would be sent shortly to police authorities.

In the past, it has been noticed that the state police always fall short of requirement following which additional forces from New Delhi have to called during polls.

Officials have been told to ensure that maximum voters in the age group of 18-19 years turn up to cast their votes. 

Tripathi said that district election officer should make extra efforts to include the names of first-time voters in the voter lists.

The chief election commissioner has also sought information of polling booths having more than 1,400 voters.

He said that each booth level official should not have more than one polling booth with him.