Kolkata, March 10 (UNI) After holding meetings with political parties, district officials and the police on the first day of its visit, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday acknowledged that there was law and order problems in some areas, but was of the view that the overall situation remains conducive for holding elections.
The full bench of the Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar held a series of meetings with senior administrative and police officials. It rejected the Opposition allegations of a collapse in the state’s law and order machinery and was of the view that while some localised problems existed, they were not significant enough to impede the conduct of elections.
“There may be problems in some places, which is common in many states. But it cannot be said that the situation is so bad that elections cannot be held,” a senior Commission official said after the meeting.
The Commission’s full bench, which arrived in West Bengal on Sunday night, held a crucial meeting on Monday with district magistrates, police commissioners and superintendents of police from all 23 districts of the state, along with officials from 24 state and Central agencies.
The discussions focused on preparedness for the Assembly elections and measures to ensure a peaceful and transparent polling process.
Earlier in the day, the Commission also met representatives of eight recognised political parties in the state. During the interaction, opposition parties raised concerns about the law-and-order situation and questioned whether the Commission would be able to ensure violence-free polls rather than merely offering assurances.
However, Commission officials maintained that all necessary preparations are being made to ensure peaceful voting.
Sources said the poll schedule for West Bengal may be announced around February 15 or 16.
The ongoing revision of the voter list also came up during discussions.
Around 6.06 million entries in the draft electoral roll are currently under consideration as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Questions were raised over whether verification and disposal of these cases could be completed before the announcement of the election schedule.
A Commission official said there was still sufficient time to complete the process. “Nearly one lakh cases are being disposed of every day. Even after the announcement of the poll schedule, eligible voters can be added to the list until the last date for filing nominations,” the official said.
The official also pointed out that the matter is currently under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court and declined to comment further on issues that are sub judice.
Nevertheless, the Commission believes that even if the elections are announced soon, nearly a month will remain for the completion of the process.
During Monday’s meeting, the Commission also reportedly pulled up several officials over administrative lapses.
Officials from various agencies, including the Reserve Bank of India, the Airports Authority, the excise department and narcotics control agencies, were also cautioned to ensure strict compliance with election-related directives.
Sources said the Commission issued a strong message to administrative officers, reminding them that every action leaves a “digital footprint” and warning that any negligence would not be tolerated.
Whether it is a district magistrate or a police commissioner, no one will be spared if lapses are found, the officials were told.
At the same time, the Commission also indicated that there had been instances where the West Bengal government had not fully cooperated with its directives.
However, officials stressed that once the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, the entire state administration will come under the authority of the Election Commission.
“In that situation, the government will be bound to follow the Commission’s instructions. Therefore, there should be no doubts about the neutrality of the administrative machinery during the elections,” the official said.
Responding to the early deployment of Central forces in the state, the Commission officials said the move is not unusual and has been carried out in several states in the past.
“Such deployments are done to boost voter confidence and ensure a sense of security among the electorate,” the official added.
On Tuesday, the Commission’s full bench will meet Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and other senior officials, including Director General of Police Piyush Pandey, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal and nodal officers of state police and Central forces.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at a hotel in New Town in the morning.
Later in the day, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other members of the Commission are expected to address a press conference before leaving for New Delhi in the afternoon.
Apart from West Bengal, Assembly elections are also due in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
