Amid India-Pakistan Standoff, CEC Assures Lok Sabha Elections Will Be Held As Per Schedule 

In the backdrop of heightened India-Pakistan tensions, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora stated today (Friday, 1 March) that the Lok Sabha elections which scheduled for April-May this year will be held on time, reports Economic Times.

The CEC made the remarks in Lucknow while speaking to journalists. He is visiting the Uttar Pradesh capital to take stock of preparations in the state to conduct the general elections.

He also mentioned that candidates for the Lok Sabha elections are now required to give details of their foreign assets, which has been notified in amended rules issued by the commission.

"The I-T department will look into it and, if any, discrepancies are found then it will be uploaded on the Election Commission (EC) website and strict action will be initiated," he said.

He was also questioned about the EC’s position with regard to inflammatory speeches. Arora replied that he had been trying to find out about such cases from past elections during review meetings.

"Whatever the EC has found, I have apprised about its intentions to the chief secretary and the DGP, who assured that strict action will be taken in such cases," he stated.

He added that the EC would soon launch the C-Vigil app which would empower all citizens to lodge complaints related to polls anonymously. Arora said that committees will also be formed to scrutinise social media.