Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday set February 20 as the deadline for the state government to transfer all officials who are associated with the forthcoming elections in some way or the other and have spent more than three years in their current place of posting.Talking to the media, election commissioner Ashok Lavasa said, “The chief secretary has been asked to complete the transfers as per ECI norms by February 20.” He was speaking after reviewing the state’s poll preparedness with chief secretary A P Padhi and DGP R P Sharma.Lavasa’s comment is significant as on Thursday the BJP and the Congress had alleged before the poll panel that some officers were not transferred in violation of the ECI norms despite having spent long years at the same place of posting.Chief secretary Padhi said the government will strictly comply with the poll panel directives and guidelines. “The ECI sought compliance on transfer of officers associated with elections posted for more than three years at one place. Their main focus was on free and fair elections,” Padhi said.The DGP said security will be tightened in areas hit by Left-wing extremism. “Security forces in Maoist-affected districts have been advised to strictly follow the standard operating procedures during movement. We will also adopt area dominance tactic with the help of central armed police forces in the LWE-affected areas. Coordination with the security agencies in bordering states like Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh has been strengthened to keep Maoists at bay,” the DGP added.“Besides, there will be extra security in sensitive booths. Anti-social elements creating disturbance during polling will be sternly dealt with,” the DGP said. Sharma said they will also crack down on illicit liquor and illegal flow of cash.The election commissioner also asked the officials to work without fear or favour during the elections. Lavasa said the commission has directed the state government to ensure common minimum facilities like electricity, rest sheds, ramps, drinking water facilities and toilets are made available in all the polling stations. Besides, the government has also been asked to ensure enough security measures for political leaders during their campaigning in Maoist affected areas.The ECI also asked the government to set up all-women polling booths, at least one in each assembly segment under a particular Lok Sabha seat.Lavasa asked members of the public to make use of the mobile app cVIGIL to draw the EC’s attention towards poll violations by uploading photos and videos. “There would be instant response,” Lavasa said. The user-friendly app, used as a pilot project during the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, will help in better monitoring of poll malpractices, he added. While one can download the app anytime, it will be activated only after the election is notified.

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