Top EC official opinions ballot preparations in Bengal, says legislation & order unhealthy

West Bengal has witnessed political turmoil and frequent clashes between the ruling TMC and challenger BJP during the last couple of years.

The skirmishes have claimed a number of lives and left many injured, with each side blaming one another for triggering violence. Jain warned that officers discovered wanting in successfully discharging their duties will likely be faraway from their positions.

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Jain, in accordance with officers current on the assembly, made it clear that the sort of violence seen within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls was “unacceptable”.

“The Commission may take strong steps against officers found neglecting their duties. They will be removed. The Commission is looking at the assembly election as a challenge and it is determined to conduct a free and fair poll,” an officer stated on situation of anonymity. Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Home Secretary H Okay Dwivedi and Director General of Police (DGP) Virendra attended the assembly.

“Some criminals even operate from inside the jails. He asked DMs and SPs to get specific information about such criminals in jails and their activities and send it to the Election Commission within seven days,” the official stated, insisting he not be named.

Jain additionally spoke to Education Secretary Manish Jain and Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam concerning the situation of college buildings, destroyed by cyclone Amphan, as COVID-19 protocols would require social distancing throughout the vote and organising of extra polling stations. Sources stated the state would require extra 28,000 polling cubicles.

Since most of those polling stations are positioned in public buildings like faculties, the Election Commission desires them to be repaired and restored earlier than the polls.

Jain stated the EC will remember the West Bemgal college board examinations, prone to begin in June, earlier than finalising the election schedule. A group led by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora is prone to go to West Bengal later this month to evaluation the state’s preparedness for the meeting elections.