Polls: CEC Rawat reviews vigil on inter-state borders

Ahead of Telangana Assembly election on December 7, Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat through video-conferencing with senior officials of bordering states of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, on Wednesday reviewed inter-state border monitoring to check illegal transportation of cash, liquor and drugs to bribe voters.

Rawat, along with Election Commissioner Alok Lavasa and other ECI senior officials, held the review with state Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers, Directors General of Police, Home, Excise and Income Tax senior officials of border states, including heads of paramilitary forces.

During the interaction Rawat appreciated Chhattisgarh government for holding peaceful polling and hoped that the influence will rub off on other states going for polls soon.

Intense checking

Chhattisgarh incharge Chief Secretary Sunil Kujur briefed the CEC that the state has 150 kilometres of border with Telangana, mostly in Bijapur and Sukma districts. He said in coordination with the Telangana administration, better monitoring system has been put in place. Excise department has installed two check posts to prevent illegal transportation of liquor.

Kujur said 48 hours before polling, checking would be intensified by erecting 11 check posts. Joint special drive would also be conducted by teams of both states.