Top EC official reviews poll preparations in Bengal, says law and order bad

Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain on Thursday reviewed preparations for holding meeting elections in West Bengal, and voiced concern over the legislation and order state of affairs within the state, sources within the workplace of the state's Chief Electoral officer (CEO), mentioned.

West Bengal has witnessed political turmoil and frequent clashes between the ruling TMC and challenger BJP over the past 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 probably be faraway from their positions.

Jain, in response to officers current on the assembly, made it clear that the type 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 mentioned on situation of anonymity. Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, House Secretary H Ok Dwivedi and Director Common 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 mentioned, insisting he not be named.

Jain additionally spoke to Schooling Secretary Manish Jain and Well being Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam in regards to the situation of faculty buildings, destroyed by cyclone Amphan, as Covid-19 protocols would require social distancing throughout the vote and organising of extra polling stations.

Sources mentioned the state would require further 28,000 polling cubicles.

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

Jain mentioned the EC will take into account the West Bengal faculty board examinations, prone to begin in June, earlier than finalising the election schedule.

A crew led by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora is prone to go to West Bengal later this month to evaluate the state's preparedness for the meeting elections.