The State Election Commission (SEC) has made a request for additional central forces to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming panchayat polls in West Bengal. The commission, in a hearing at the Calcutta High Court, informed the court that it has requisitioned 485 companies of central forces, in addition to the 337 companies already requested, bringing the total number of requested companies to 822.
The SEC’s request for additional central forces comes in the wake of a contempt petition filed against it, alleging willful disobedience of the high court’s orders. The division bench, presided over by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, directed the SEC to file an affidavit clarifying whether it has adhered to the court’s orders regarding the conduct of free and fair panchayat polls, or if there were any attempts to hinder the implementation of these orders at various stages.
During the hearing, SEC counsel Kishore Dutta informed the bench that the commission had sent a letter to the Union Home Ministry, requesting 485 additional companies of central forces. This is in addition to the requisition already made for 315 and 22 companies, bringing the total to 822 companies. The deployment of central forces is seen as crucial to maintaining law and order and ensuring a fair electoral process.
The panchayat polls in West Bengal have been a subject of controversy and legal battles. The SEC has faced criticism for alleged mishandling of the election process and failure to maintain neutrality. The high court had previously issued orders to the commission to ensure the fair conduct of the polls and had expressed its displeasure over the alleged non-compliance of these orders.
In response to the contempt petition, the division bench directed the SEC to submit an affidavit outlining its actions and adherence to the court’s orders. The court sought clarification on whether the commission had made genuine efforts to hold free and fair polls or if there were deliberate attempts to undermine the orders.
The requisitioning of additional central forces indicates the seriousness with which the SEC is approaching the issue. The deployment of central forces is expected to enhance security arrangements and provide a sense of confidence among voters. It is hoped that the presence of these forces will deter any attempts to disrupt the electoral process or engage in any form of violence.
The panchayat polls in West Bengal are of great significance as they determine the local governance structure and representation at the grassroots level. It is essential that the polls are conducted in a fair and transparent manner, allowing citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote without any fear or coercion.
The upcoming affidavit from the SEC will shed light on the steps taken to comply with the court’s orders and address the concerns raised in the contempt petition. It will be crucial in determining the future course of action and ensuring that the panchayat polls in West Bengal are conducted in accordance with the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
