State Election Commission tightens noose on electoral offenders

Tightening its noose on the persons indulged in electoral offences during previous elections, the State Election Commission has issued instructions to all district magistrates to take necessary steps ensuring free and fair elections in the state.

Divulging details, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Kusumjit Sidhu, on Wednesday said that a special drive should be launched to compile a list of persons who have indulged in electoral offences like booth capturing, intimidation, impersonation in each police station of each and every constituency during the past at least two elections.

She said that this list should be made available to the District Election Officer and the Returning Officer concerned of each Parliamentary/Assemble Constituency to be forwarded to the Commission if and when asked for.

She said that a special drive should be launched to expedite the investigation and prosecution of all electoral offences registered in previous election in each police station of each and every Parliamentary/Assemble Constituency and fortnightly report be made available to the District Election Officer and Returning Officer concerned to be forwarded to the Commission, if and when asked for.

She said that a special drive should be launched to unearth and seize unlicensed arms and ammunition. A very thorough search and seizure by the State Police of in licensed arms and places of indigenous manufacture of arms and ammunition shall be carried out and persons involved shall be arrested.