CEC Rajiv Kumar Highlights Drug Menace During Election Season

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar acknowledged the severe threat drugs pose during elections, calling for broader focus and action. He emphasized the issue's impact on youth across states and the link between drugs and illegal election financing. Upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana come under this focus.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Friday acknowledged the significant threat posed by drugs during the election period, emphasizing the need for increased focus and action to combat this issue.

While announcing the schedule for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, Kumar highlighted the severity of the drug problem that extends across various states such as Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. ''Drugs is one major area...we are not regularly involved in enforcement, but every state we have visited, starting from Mizoram to the northeast to Andhra Pradesh to any state, including Haryana, Punjab, J&K, drug is really a menace our youth population is really getting into this habit,'' he said.

Kumar reflected on past measures by the Election Commission to curb drug-related activities during the 11 Assembly elections held in 2023, noting significant successes, including the uncovering of drug factories in Noida and Gujarat. He also stressed the connection between drug money and illegal activities, including election financing. The EC will continue to enforce strict measures to monitor and prevent the misuse of drugs during the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.