Dehradun: Ahead of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly elections in 2027, the Election Commission of India has intensified its review of electoral preparations. During a two-day meeting held in Dehradun on October 12 and 13, election and police officials from all districts of the state, along with 21 central and state government agencies, shared details of their preparations.
Special emphasis during the meeting was laid on voting arrangements, security, EVM-VVPAT, voter lists, and curbing the illegal movement of goods during elections.
Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg, Director General of Media Ashish Goyal, Director General of Information Technology Seema Khanna, and Chief Electoral Officer B.V.R.C. Purushottam, along with other concerned officials, were present at the meeting. The first day featured a workshop for DMs, district election officers, and EVM nodal officers regarding the First Level Check (FLC) of EVMs. Instructions were given to inspect machines, ensure safe storage, and guarantee adequate availability.
Districts presented preparations related to voter lists, polling booth arrangements, training of personnel, vehicle availability, and identification of sensitive booths. Police officials shared plans formulated for the deployment of security forces, crime control, and prevention of electoral offenses.
On the second day of the meeting, 21 agencies—including paramilitary forces, excise, GST, transport, forest department, Airports Authority of India, and customs—detailed their election preparations. Measures to curb the illegal movement of cash, liquor, narcotics, weapons, gold-silver, and other inducements affecting voters were reviewed. Surveillance and checkpoint arrangements in border areas were also discussed.
The Commission instructed all concerned departments to complete preparations on time according to prescribed standards. It also clarified that action could be taken against officials showing negligence in the election process.
Although dates for the assembly elections have not been announced yet, the Commission’s review meeting indicates heightened administrative proactiveness regarding electoral preparations.
