The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reviewed preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 18 districts across four divisions and directed senior officials to strengthen voter lists, security arrangements and personnel training to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
The review meeting was chaired by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg in Meerut in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa and other senior commission officials, according to a statement issued by the CEO’s office.
Mr Garg emphasised the importance of the review for both first-time district election officers and police chiefs and experienced officials, noting that election rules and guidelines undergo periodic changes. He urged all officials to examine the issues discussed afresh and improve their preparations accordingly.
He also stressed ensuring minimum assured facilities at polling stations and launching EVM awareness programmes. The senior deputy election commissioner instructed authorities to maintain strict surveillance against the illegal transportation and distribution of liquor during the elections, including checks at distilleries’ source and exit points.
He also called for effective arrangements for mobile phone deposit boxes at polling stations on polling day, with the assistance of volunteers. Officials were asked to ensure training for state-level master trainers and familiarise relevant personnel with postal ballot-related instructions. Rinwa directed officials to launch special drives in classes 11 and 12 and degree colleges to enrol young people becoming eligible to vote for the first time. He also asked authorities to re-examine rejected Form 6 applications to ensure that eligible citizens are included in electoral rolls.
Applicants filling Form 6 should provide their mobile numbers and complete addresses accurately, while Common Service Centre operators should be trained immediately in the online application process and measures to prevent multiple entries. The CEO further directed district election officers to recheck all Forms 6, 7 and 8 entered by computer assistants since the conclusion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CEO also directed officials to ensure distribution of voter information slips five days before polling and record the distribution in booth-level officers’ registers.
