Bengal CEO warns of strict action against lapses on polling day

Kolkata, Apr 18 (PTI) Any disturbance on polling day will not be tolerated under any circumstances, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal said during a virtual review meeting with senior police officers on Saturday.

Addressing Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police ahead of the first phase of polling scheduled for April 23, Agarwal said swift and decisive action must be taken in case of any untoward incident on election day.

“Any lapse in maintaining law and order will be viewed seriously, and officers-in-charge may face suspension,” the CEO cautioned, according to sources present in the meeting.

The CEO further directed police officers to act immediately if any arms, ammunition or explosives are recovered

from any area during polling.

“In such cases, responsibility will lie with the concerned police station. Failure to act promptly will invite strict action from the Election Commission,” he said.

Agarwal also questioned delays in arresting individuals accused of violence during previous elections, and asked districts to identify habitual offenders and those with a history of poll-related offences.

He stressed that persons with pending cases of electoral violence must be closely monitored to ensure they do not create fresh disturbances during the ongoing polls.

The Election Commission, which is pushing for a free and fair election process, held a detailed virtual meeting as part of its preparedness review for the first phase.

“CCTV surveillance will be installed at all booths to ensure strict monitoring on polling day,” an EC source said.

The meeting was attended by SPs, Commissioners of Police from 16 districts, and police observers appointed by the Election Commission.

The first phase of the polls in Bengal, scheduled on April 23, will be held across 152 assembly constituencies and will cover the districts of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Paschim Bardhaman, and parts of Birbhum and Nadia. PTI SCH RG