Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the Assembly election schedule in the state on Friday, Himachal Pradesh DGP has ordered to seal the state borders and CEO has sought for 67 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure free and fair polls in the state.

The statement said HP Director general of police (DGP) Sanjay Kundu, IPS, ordered police officials to seal the state borders with Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to prevent movement of anti-social elements and transportation of cash, liquor and drugs.

The DGP said police personnel be deployed at each barrier and entry point on the state borders to prevent movement of anti-social elements to ensure free and fair voting.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Friday that Himachal Pradesh polls will take place on 12 November 2022 and that counting will begin on 8 December.

The DGP further directed that a special attention be paid to the execution of non-bailable warrants, deposition of weapons in police stations, seizure of illicit liquor, drugs, cash and other articles that can be used to influence the voters.

All directions of Election Commission of India be complied with meticulously and no police official be involved in any political activity, he added.

Schedule for GE to the Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh.
#AssemblyElections #ECI pic.twitter.com/UnSu7eN19p

— Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) October 14, 2022

Meanwhile, state Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg on Friday evening informed that the state election office has sought for 67 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces.

As many as 65 CAPF companies were deployed during the last Assembly elections in 2017, he told the media.

The CEO also said a notification for the state elections will be issued on October 17 and the last date for the filing of nominations is 25 October.

Scrutiny of papers will be held on 27 October and the last date for the withdrawal of papers will be 29 October, he added.

As many as 55,74,793 people are eligible to vote in the polls of the state that has 68 Assembly seats.