Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said that the entire election machinery will ensure that the menace of inducements in the form of cash or freebies is firmly curbed in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Addressing the media after reviewing poll preparedness in election-bound Puducherry, he said strict directions have been issued to enforcement agencies to prevent such malpractices and to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process. The Chief Election Commissioner said that the purity of the electoral roll is the bedrock of democracy and affirmed that no eligible voter has been excluded in the Special Intensive Revision process.

Detailing new initiatives to be introduced in the upcoming elections, Mr Gyanesh Kumar said that, for the first time, mobile deposit counters will be set up outside polling booths and colour photographs of candidates will be displayed on ballot units. He added that, to enhance transparency, all 1,099 polling stations in Puducherry will be equipped with webcasting facilities. He further stated that all polling stations will provide basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets and will be located on the ground floor with ramps and wheelchair facilities to facilitate senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Highlighting technological interventions by the Election Commission, he said the integrated ECINet application will offer key voter services, candidate information and real-time election data. He also expressed confidence that Puducherry will emerge as a model for the rest of the country in the conduct of elections. Earlier, the Chief Election Commissioner, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, held detailed review meetings with the Chief Electoral Officer, Chief Secretary, District Election Officers, senior police officials and heads of various enforcement agencies. The Commission also interacted with representatives of recognised national and state political parties. The seven-member team included Deputy Election Commissioners Manish Garg, Pawan Kumar Sharma and Sanjay Kumar, and Director General Ashish Goyal.