Election Commission of India is committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent Assembly elections in Telangana: OP Rawat

Election Commission of India is committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent Assembly elections in Telangana, Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Wednesday reiterated.

Addressing a media conference in Hyderabad, he asked the state and district election authorities to be fearless, neutral and independent from any influence. 

The three-day visit of the high-level team of the Election Commission to review assembly poll preparedness in the state concluded this afternoon. 

Mr Rawat said that for the first time, an accessibility observer is being deployed in elections of Telangana besides regular political, expenditure and security observers. 

These observers will ensure that facilities be extended to electors with disabilities in exercising their franchise. 

The CEC directed the state electoral authorities to put in place effective



mechanism to address the concerns raised by some political parties including irregularities in the electoral rolls at some places, distribution of money, liquor and tokens. 

The CEC said, C-Vigil mobile application has been launched to enable voters to file complaints of violation of Model Code of Conduct. He also asked the state authorities to step up voter awareness programmes on using EVMs and VVPATs in all polling stations. 

The high-level ECI team reviewed poll preparedness with District Electoral Officers and Superintendents of Police of all the districts and also interacted with the State Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Secretary and other senior officials of the state. 

The Commission also discussed strategy with various enforcement agencies like Income-Tax, Excise, transport departments and coordinator of lead banks during its visit.