Kochi, March 6 (NationPress) In a significant move ahead of the upcoming Kerala elections, the Election Commission convened a vital meeting with recognized national and state political parties on Friday. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the Commission's commitment to conducting the polling process in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

The meeting saw the participation of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, along with senior officials, who engaged with representatives from major political parties to assess electoral readiness and address their concerns.

Officials reported that most political parties expressed their appreciation for the peaceful and effective execution of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.

Many parties recognized the significant contributions of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in updating voter lists.

During the discussions, the Chief Election Commissioner reiterated that the electoral roll revision was conducted transparently. He stated that Forms 6, 7, and 8 can still be submitted for the inclusion, deletion, or correction of entries in the electoral rolls.

Moreover, appeals regarding the voter list may be submitted to the District Magistrate or the Chief Electoral Officer as stipulated under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Several political parties urged the Commission to implement stringent measures against the use of money power, liquor distribution, and freebies during elections.

Some parties also proposed that local festivals and events in Kerala be factored in while establishing the polling schedule.

In response to these concerns, the Chief Election Commissioner assured that elections would be conducted strictly following the law, ensuring impartiality and transparency.

He encouraged political parties to utilize the cVIGIL feature of the Commission's ECINET platform to report any violations of the Model Code of Conduct during the election period.

The Commission also reaffirmed that essential facilities like ramps, wheelchairs, and drinking water will be provided at polling booths to enhance voter comfort and accessibility.

Gyanesh Kumar, a former IAS officer from the Kerala cadre with notable positions including Secretary of the Public Works Department, also took this opportunity to inspect several landmark infrastructure projects in Kochi that he was associated with during his tenure in state administration.

He called for a collective responsibility urging all political parties to ensure that elections in Kerala serve as a model not only for India but for the world.

Additionally, he led the Voters’ Pledge for young voters near the Goshree Bridge, promoting greater engagement in the democratic process.

The Election Commission's visit concludes on Saturday, with the Chief Election Commissioner scheduled to interact with the media before departure.