Delhi seeks help from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana for safe polls

New Delhi: The Delhi Election Commission today sought the cooperation of bordering states in conducting peaceful elections in Delhi. The governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been asked to ensure proper manning of border areas, restrict movement anti-social elements and muscle-men from entering Delhi, besides keeping a tab on flow of liquor and cash between states.[caption id=“attachment_1203041” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Getting ready for polls. Reuters[/caption] While the Delhi Police and the Central paramilitary force have been deputed at all 123 pickets Delhi shares on Haryana and Uttar Pradesh borders, the two states were asked to ensure proper manning from their sides as well. “Both the governments have assured us of full cooperation. There is a need that pickets are properly manned from the opposite sides also,” said Delhi’s chief electoral officer Vijay Dev. During a coordination meeting of all five-poll bound states and their neighbouring states at the Election Commission of India office, senior officials shared their intelligence inputs on these issues. The meeting was attended by chief secretaries and director generals of police and chief electoral officers where all interstate related aspects were discussed. “For better coordination, all interstate issues, including intelligence sharing, movement of muscle-men and anti social elements, ceiling on flow of cash and liquor were discussed. The views of neighbouring states were taken and strategies have been formulated to conduct free and fair poll in Delhi,” Dev said. “Intelligence sharing is a continuous process. We are in regular touch with each other and taking appropriate steps to ensure that no untoward incidents take place,” Dev added. PTI