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NEW DELHI: As campaigning for Bihar polls gathers momentum, the Election Commission on Friday directed all the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to step up vigil and curb the use of cash and other inducements by the candidates and political parties to swing the outcome in their favour.Chairing a meeting of the multi-departmental committee on election intelligence here, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with fellow election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, sensitised the 17 LEAs represented in the committee, to cooperate and share intelligence on economic offences with one another, followed by effective action. The Bihar chief secretary, DGP, chief electoral officer and state police nodal officer (SPNO) joined the meeting online. The 17 LEAs sensitised by EC to take pre-emptive and preventive action to curb the distribution of inducements like cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies among electors, include CBDT, CBIC, ED, DRI, CEIB, FIU- IND, RBI, IBA, NCB, RPF, CISF, BSF, SSB, BCAS, AAI and postal department. During the discussions, a comprehensive roadmap was drawn up to combat the pernicious effects of cash and other inducements in elections. The agencies briefed EC on their preparation and measures taken or proposed to be taken to keep the polls inducement-free. The commission emphasised the need for intra-agency coordination at the national, state and district-level various levels. Underlining its ‘zero-tolerance’ policy on poll inducements and freebies, the poll panel directed the LEAs to map the constituencies and take steps to intercept the transportation of smuggled goods, drugs, liquor, cash including fake currency across the inter-state and international borders. EC will also hold a meeting of chief secretaries and DGPs of states bordering Bihar soon in this regard. Bihar will witness polling in two phases on Nov 6 and 11, followed by counting of votes on Nov 14.
