Thursday, June 23 2005 20:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In the run up to the Bihar Assembly polls, the Election Commission today (Jun 23, 2005) directed authorities in the State to execute all pending non-bailable warrants against criminals in the State.

The Commission also directed the State to conduct special search operations to unearth illegal arms and take preventive action against habitual offenders and anti-social elements.

It asked the State Government to send a district-wise consolidated report on the actions taken on the above orders to the Commission every week beginning July 1.

The Commission has also directed the State Government to provide proper communication facilities like telephones, wireless sets with necessary accessories, to all police stations and immediately repair damaged roads and other infrastructure after the rains and floods.

The EC also directed maintenance of arterial and important roads and providing of necessary funds to the Chief Electoral Officer for Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) programme.

It also asked the State Government to direct all concerned authorities to implement Prevention of Defacement of Property Act in letter and spirit "from now onwards".

The Commission has also directed the District Collectors to conduct special comprehensive training programmes on the functioning of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) immediately for the representatives of the political parties and officials.

A two-member team comprising Deputy Election Commissioner Anand Kumar and Adviser K J Rao had visited Patna early this week to oversee the poll preparations in the State.