After the Supreme Court direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) over electoral bonds, the Chief Election Commissioner on Saturday said that the poll panel will act in accordance with the SC directives.

While speaking to the media, CEC Rajiv Kumar said the commission always favoured transparency in information flow and involvement. “In its affidavit to the top court, the commission said it is in favour of transparency and when the order is issued, it will take action as directed by the SC,” Kumar said.

The SC on Thursday had struck down the electoral bonds scheme, saying that it violated the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.

The SC has directed banks to stop further issuance of electoral bonds and the State Bank of India (SBI) to submit details of electoral bonds purchased to date since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission. The ECI has been asked to publish the details by March 13 on its website.

ECI team led by Kumar were in Odisha to review the preparedness for the upcoming general and assembly polls. To the question asked related to a case pending in SC on conducting elections without EVMs, the CEC said “the changes will be made as per the court’s direction.”

During the three-day tour, ECI team held meetings with collectors, SPs, and officials of political parties, enforcement agencies and the state government.

While talking about the arrangements, Kumar said that there will will be three-tier security arrangements at district EVM-VVPAT warehouses at all times. “All the EVMs will be sealed properly and the details of votes cast at polling stations will be informed to the polling agents to maintain transparency,” said Kumar.

The enforcement agencies were asked to take strict action against the use of money power, liquor, drugs, and freebies during elections, he said.