Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) Rajiv Kumar, said that Election Commission of India ( ECI) was committed to conduct inducement-free, transparent and fair Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
“UP is the largest and important state of the country, hence all political parties will get equal opportunity,” the Chief Election Commissioner said, while addressing the media here on Saturday to wind up the 3-days visit of the ECI to scrutiny the poll preparedness in the state. Election Commissioner Arun Goyal along with other ECI officials were also present.

The Commission has bluntly said that if there is any re-polling or election violence, the concerned officer will not be spared. Besides strict action should be taken on hate speeches and violation of election model code of conduct. FIR should be registered immediately in any violation.

CEC said,” everyone will get equal opportunities in 2024. Officers and police have been instructed to work impartially while use of money and muscle power will be wiped out in this elections”.
He said all election expenses will be through cheque, apart from the facility of digital transaction.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that there was apprehension among political parties regarding EVMs. ” A direction has been given that the movement of EVMs should be done in government vehicles only as per the demand of the political parties,” he said.
CEC said that this time there are 15.29 crore voters in UP.
” Some booths in the state will be made for women and disabled people. People above 85 years of age will have the facility to cast their vote from home along more than 40 percent disabled people will be able to vote from their homes. The District Election Officer himself will go to the places with low vote percentage. Separate booths will be made in multistorey buildings,” he added.

The CEC said that technology is being used maximum in this time’s elections. ” This time three apps are being launched. Through an app, voters can directly complain to the Election Commission about inducements, distribution of liquor and money during elections. Voter Helpline is another application from which voters can get their information. Through the Know Your Candidate application, the voter will be able to get all the information about the candidates”, he said.

He said that 30 districts of Uttar Pradesh share borders with nine states. Seven districts share border with neighboring country Nepal. All the security agencies will work here on the border. He said that RBI has been told that cash vans of banks will not operate after 5 pm.

He said that the responsibility of conducting fair elections will be of the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.
On Friday , the ECI held matharon meeting with the district officials and on Thursday evening they met the representatives of the political parties.