Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 16 March 2024
In preparation for the forthcoming General Elections – 2024, a pivotal meeting convened under the auspices of Mr. B. S. Jaglan, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, convened at the Mini Conference Hall of the Secretariat on March 15, 2024. The focus of the gathering centered on the effective implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, alongside vigilant monitoring measures to curb the circulation of freebies and illicit cash flows.
Mr. Jaglan underscored the imperative for enforcement agencies to heighten their vigilance, particularly in curbing the inflow of cash, freebies, and narcotics through legal conduits such as airports, ports, and maritime routes utilized by small vessels. Notably, he highlighted the potential exploitation of fishing boats for such illicit movements and urged pertinent departments, including the Coast Guard, CISF, Police, Defence, and Shipping, to bolster their efforts and preemptively intercept any suspicious transactions or contraband during the election period.
Moreover, Mr. Jaglan urged specialised units such as the Police Marine Force, Defence units including the Coast Guard, and the Fisheries Department to intensify surveillance measures, aiming to thwart any attempts at illicit activities during the election season.
A pivotal highlight of the meeting included a detailed presentation by Mr. Shishir Kumar Mishra, the Nodal Officer (IT), who elucidated on the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) software application. Designed to fortify transparency in electoral processes, ESMS serves as a robust tool in monitoring and managing instances of financial malpractice, misuse of power, and inducements aimed at influencing the electorate. The introduction of ESMS by the Election Commission of India underscores a concerted effort to maintain a level playing field and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Among the distinguished attendees were State Police Nodal Officer, Ms. Monika Bhardwaj, IPS, Secretary (Finance)/NO (Expenditure), Mr. C. Arvind, Dy. CEO/SDM(SA), Mr. Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, SP (ASPNO), Mr. Manjeet Sheoran, IPS, SP (PMF), Ms. Shweta K. Sugathan, IPS, Comdt (JG), Anirudh Daba, Dy. Commissioner (Income Tax), Mr. Arnab Sarkar, IRS, Director (Fisheries), Mr. Vikram Singh, Dy. SP (Cyber), Mr. Lakshay Pandey, AME, DSS, Mr. Shiju Cheriyan, and officers representing the Airports Authority of India (AAI).