An Election Commission of India (ECI) team led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu today held discussions with political parties ahead of assembly elections in the state. Representatives of six national parties including BJP, Congress and CPI (M) and three regional parties- JMM, RJD and AJSU gave their views and submitted their representation to the Election Commission.

BJP demanded scrutiny of Aadhar Cards of so-called infiltrators and Rohingya in Santhal Pargana and its bordering areas. AJSU party said the election should be conducted in a phased manner amid tight security arrangements. JMM and Congress demanded to ensure hate politics free campaigning. JMM said election should be conducted after 15th November in minimum phases and central para-military should be deployed to ensure free and fair polls.            

After the meeting with political parties, the Election Commission team held a meeting with officers of Enforcement agencies to ensure trouble-free assembly elections.

The EC team also met the Chief Electoral Officer, State Police Nodal Officer and Central Forces Coordinator to assess election preparedness.

The ECI team will review the preparations with District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police from all 24 districts, the Chief Secretary and the DGP tomorrow.  Assembly elections in Jharkhand are due later this year.