ECI reviews poll preparedness in Puducherry

A high-level delegation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) undertook a review of the progress of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the overall preparedness of the electoral machinery for the upcoming Assembly polls.

The team, led by Manish Garg, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, comprised Bhanu Prakash Yeturu and Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioners, Ashish Goyal, Seema Khanna, Director Generals, and Shubhra Saxena, Director, ECI.

On a review of the status of the electoral roll, it was noted that the SIR – 2026 has been successfully completed, and continuous updation is being undertaken to ensure accuracy, inclusiveness, and transparency in the electoral roll, a press note from P. Jawahar, Chief Electoral Officer said.

The District Election Officers of Puducherry and Karaikal presented comprehensive district-level preparedness plans, covering infrastructure-readiness of polling stations, identification and management of Critical and Vulnerable Polling Stations based on vulnerability mapping, Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF), accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), manpower deployment, transportation logistics, and security arrangements to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.

The Senior Superintendents of Police presented detailed law-and-order preparedness, force deployment strategies, vulnerability mapping outcomes, and data on seizures of cash, freebies, and narcotics during previous elections, along with proactive measures planned for GEPLA-2026.

Special emphasis was placed on preventing the inflow of unaccounted cash, distribution of freebies, drugs, and other illegal inducements.

Nodal Officers of a plethora of State enforcement agencies including Police, Excise, Commercial Tax, Forest, and Transport Departments, and Central units such as the Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, Railway Protection Force, Coast Guard, Financial Intelligence Unit of India, Civil Aviation Security, and Central Industrial Security Force presented their coordinated action plans to combat illicit activities during the election period.

Strict surveillance mechanisms are being strengthened at inter-state and inter-district borders to monitor movement of cash, valuables, liquor, and other materials intended to influence voters.

Particular attention is being given to preventing unauthorized outflow and illegal distribution of liquor through intensified inspections, check-post monitoring, and joint enforcement drives.

The functioning and deployment of Flying Squads (FST), Static Surveillance Teams (SST), Video Surveillance Teams (VST), and Video Viewing Teams (VVT) were reviewed in detail.

These teams will operate round-the-clock to monitor expenditure violations and ensure strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.

Technology-driven monitoring measures including CCTV coverage, webcasting at polling stations, effective utilisation of the cVIGIL app, and establishment of an Integrated Command Centre for enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct were also discussed. Officials were directed to ensure swift redressal of complaints and strict adherence to the ECI guidelines.

The Chief Electoral Officer presented the overall State profile and preparedness plan, highlighting progress in electoral roll revision, manpower and logistics arrangements, training of election functionaries, EVM/VVPAT management, strong room security, counting arrangements, and initiatives aimed at conducting accessible and inclusive elections.

New initiatives such as ‘Sustainable Election – Count the Carbon 2.0’ and ‘Meiporul 2.0’ for combating misinformation and disinformation were also deliberated upon.

The review meeting was attended by District Election Officers of Puducherry and Karaikal, the State Police Nodal Officer, Senior Superintendents of Police of Puducherry and Karaikal, Deputy Chief Electoral Officers, and Nodal Officers from various State and Central Enforcement Agencies monitoring election expenditure and law enforcement measures.

Published – February 13, 2026 11:06 pm IST