New Delhi: Citing provisions of the Representation of the People Act and varied steps it has taken to make sure voters’ security in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Election Commission on Wednesday dominated out any change within the schedule of the West Bengal meeting elections.
Responding to a letter by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Derek O’Brien to the state chief electoral officer, the ballot physique advised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led social gathering that its suggestion to membership the final three of the eight phases is “not feasible”.
The TMC chief had urged the ballot panel to membership the remaining three phases of the elections within the state to a single date. O’Brien in his letter mentioned that 52 days of campaigning have been out there to political events and candidates.
The ballot panel in its reply noticed that regardless of an additional section this time, the whole period of election interval has been diminished to 66 days — 11 days lower than the 2016 meeting polls – and in addition identified that the variety of polling cubicles have elevated by 12 p.c within the state as in comparison with that of in 2016.
The Election Commission whereas referring to issues raised by the TMC over coronavirus circumstances mentioned it has used its constitutional powers to ban the marketing campaign interval between 7 p.m. and 10 AM to discourage public gatherings, including the silence interval has additionally been prolonged to 72 hours from 48 hours earlier than finish of ballot in every section.
“In view of extension of silence period, there would in any case be no campaigning from 6.30 pm on April 26 (Date of poll of 7th phase) to April 29 (Date of poll of 8th phase),” the letter said, PTI reported.
The poll panel further said scheduling for an election is an activity planned much in advance taking complex interplay of variety of factors ranging from optimal utilisation of resources, manpower and training thereof, logistic involved in the mammoth exercise, voter’s convenience, festivals and assessment of the prevailing law and order situations.
The Election Commission while referring to provisions of the RP Act said the notifications of the elections schedule have been issued keeping certain statutory requirements in mind in which at least 14 days period has been prescribed for each phase of poll.
“Each phase of election is distinct and notified separately under section 30 of the RP Act, 1951. In view of this, your submission that 52 days of campaign period has already been availed is misleading and not in accordance with law,” the poll body said in its reply.
“In view of forgoing, suggestion to club the phases Phase VI, Phase VII, and Phase VIII is not feasible,” added the poll body.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission also replied to West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s letter demanding to hold the remaining phases after Ramzan is over and the present pandemic is diluted stating it is not acceptable as the term of the state assembly ends on May 30 and a new assembly has to be constituted before that.
“Any postponement of scheduled elections would affect adherence to Constitutional and statutory provisions related to timely conduct of elections,” the ballot physique mentioned.
The Congress chief had written to the Election Commission on April 19 searching for deferment of the polls.
West Bengal is voting in eight phases this time. Voting for the sixth section will happen tomorrow whereas the seventh and eighth phases will probably be held on April 26 and 29.The outcomes will probably be declared on May 2.
