AIZAWL: A delegation from the Election Commission of India (ECI), spearheaded by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, arrived in Aizawl on Tuesday for a three-day visit to assess the state’s readiness for the upcoming Assembly polls later this year.
Alongside Kumar, the team consists of Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Panday and Arun Goel, senior Deputy Election Commissioner Nitesh Vyas, Deputy Election Commissioner Hirdesh Kumar, and a contingent of 12 other officials, all poised to orchestrate a comprehensive evaluation.
Upon their arrival in Aizawl, the ECI team promptly engaged in a meeting with representatives from both national and state-recognised political parties setting the tone for a comprehensive review process to follow.
Demonstrating their commitment to fairness and impartiality, the ECI team further delved into scrutinising the poll preparedness in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, the Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the State Police Nodal Officer (SPNO), and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).
In the subsequent days, the visiting delegation has a packed agenda. On Wednesday, the team will engage in crucial dialogues with state Chief Secretary Renu Sharma and the Director General of Police (DGP) Anil Shukla. This interaction is anticipated to provide a holistic understanding of the administrative and security dimensions of the upcoming elections.
The ECI team will also hold consultations with district election officers (DEO) and Superintendents of Police (SP), to take a stock of the on-ground arrangements and strategies.
Thursday will see the ECI officials assess the initiatives pertaining to systematic voter education and electoral participation (SVEEP). This undertaking will be supplemented by interactions with state icons, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters, and the youth electorate. The ECI team will return to Delhi on Thursday.
The Mizoram legislative assembly’s current term is scheduled to conclude on December 17, setting the stage for a significant and defining electoral event in the near future.
