The chief election commissioner (CEC) Syed Nasim Zaidi today said that the Goa will become the first state that will opt for the electronic transmission of postal ballot in the Assembly elections.

“The returning officers will transfer the postal ballots to service voters by electronic means so that the service voters can download it, fill it and send it via e-mail to returning officer,” he told to reporters.

He further said that “We hope that a large number of service voters will be able to utilise this facility. This would be the first in the region and around the globe. That is a matter of great pride for all of us,” 

“We hope that a large number of service voters will be able to utilise this facility. This would be the first in the region and around the globe. That is a matter of great pride for all of us,” he added.

“There is one scheme called Samadhan to address to complaints. It has been working well and political parties have expressed their satisfaction,” he said.

“With regard to permission clearance system Suvidha, we have already directed to improve the working of permission system. We assure that political parties that their permission applications would receive attention,” said Zaidi.

“There was a fear that casinos can be misused with respect to cash withdrawal and distribution. This morning itself we have reviewed with the state administration and Director General of Police and in particular we have roped in senior officials from Karnataka and Goa,” the chief election commissioner said.

He further said that “Director General of Investigations was here who along with his team in Goa and Karnataka and with co-operation from state administration, he is working on a strategy, entry and exit from casinos, movement of loose cash, setting up of static surveillance team, flying squads and certain action by Income Tax department,”

 Zaidi said “I-T department is keeping special eye on clandestine currency exchanges and the movement of money through banking channels. We have directed returning officers that affidavits filed by candidates must be uploaded so that officials can carry out real time scrutiny of these affidavits under I-T laws,”

“Special surveillance would be mounted on cross border movement of liquor, money and gifts. The DGP has been asked to take effective action against anti-social elements, proclaimed offenders and any other criminal person who can be used by the party or candidate to intimidate them,” he said.

At the end Zaidi said “Standard operating procedure would be activated towards the end of polling process. Central para military forces would be deployed to assist our surveillance teams,”

Congress and Samajwadi Party can have Alliance for UP elections

Shivpal Yadav included in the candidate list released by 'Akhilesh Yadav'

Manohar Parrikar: 'BJP in its manifesto to include metro train plan in Goa Assembly polls'