CEC Gyanesh Kumar has sent out a clear message to the election machinery in poll-going states – particularly officers brought in to replace the administrative and police brass seen as “pliable” or “partisan” towards the party in office – that they must maintain 100% neutrality while imposing strict checks on poll violence and voter intimidation. “EC has zero tolerance towards any kind of violence, intimidation or inducement towards any elector,” the CEC is said to have told officials involved in poll conduct in the four states and one UT. An EC official said the slew of transfers in WB, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam is aimed at cleaning up administration and police of elements that have become pliable. “In states like WB, violence and intimidation have been features of polls. This cycle has to stop,” the official said, adding that the deployment of 1,111 observers are steps in that direction.