Chief Election Commission Issues Directive To West Bengal Bureaucracy, Emphasises 'Zero Tolerance' For Violence Ahead Of Polls

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has issued strict instructions to the bureaucracy in West Bengal to ensure a level playing field for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed district magistrates and superintendents of police to maintain impartiality, transparency, and accessibility to all parties, ensuring a fair electoral process, as per a report by Hindustan Times.

Earlier, violence had erupted following the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, in which the ruling Trinamool Congress secured a third consecutive term.

During a press conference in Kolkata, Kumar emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, intimidation, or threats to voters and candidates.

He stated that any partisan approach to the bureaucracy would not be tolerated.

The Election Commission has also mandated the deployment of a sufficient number of central forces in West Bengal in an impartial manner to build confidence among voters.

The Election Commission has stressed the importance of observers actively visiting polling booths, interacting with polling agents, and promptly addressing any irregularities.

Measures will also be taken against cases of impersonation and "Chappa Voters," with immediate legal action against impersonators.

To ensure transparency, the deployment plan of the Central Armed Police Forces will be shared with political parties during weekly meetings.

The ECI has also prohibited the deployment of civil volunteers and contractual staff for election duties or law and order maintenance, directly or indirectly.

A district-level social media cell will be established to counter fake news and respond to misinformation in real-time.

Kumar urged state and district administrations to ensure transparency in granting permissions to parties for ground and meeting places for campaigning based on a "First-In, First-Out" principle.