Bihar Elections: EC to Strategize Voter Inducement Prevention

New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI): In preparation for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commission has scheduled a meeting this Friday with the Committee of Heads of Enforcement Agencies and Heads of Forces. The meeting will finalize strategies to prevent voter inducement. The chief secretary and DGP of Bihar are set to participate in this meeting online, alongside the state's chief electoral officer.

The primary focus is to ensure proactive and preventive measures by law enforcement during the elections. The Committee aims to discuss strategies to curb covert expenditure by candidates and political parties, enhancing cooperation, and sharing intelligence on economic offenses among various law enforcement agencies for effective intervention.

Strategies to address cross-border transportation of smuggled goods, illicit drugs, alcohol, and cash—particularly counterfeit currency—will also be a critical agenda. Bihar's geographical position, sharing an international boundary with Nepal, accentuates the significance of these discussions.

The Committee is composed of 17 departments, including CBDT, CBIC, ED, DRI, CEIB, FIU-IND, RBI, IBA, NCB, RPF, CISF, BSF, CRPF, SSB, BCAS, AAI, and the Department of Posts.

The elections in this key state are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with vote counting on November 14.