BJP urges CEC to ensure fair polls in West Bengal

The BJP on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to take effective steps to curb muscle and money power to ensure free and fair West Bengal assembly elections.

"We requested the election commission to ensure that the state chief electoral officer and other officials on election duty fully conform to fair practices and instructions issued by you to ensure free and fair elections," a delegation of BJP leaders led by union minister Prakash Javadekar said in its memorandum submitted to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi.

The delegation demanded that central forces be deployed at polling stations and they should also conduct flag marches.

"Central forces be directed to effectively patrol sensitive and extra-sensitive constituencies to instil a feeling of security among the voters," the memorandum said.

The delegation also urged the election body to ensure that observers and micro- observers were visible on their respective beats and could be easily contacted by anyone.

In West Bengal, voting is scheduled to be held in the remaining five phases on April 17, 21, 25 and 30 and May 5 for 245 seats.

In the first phase, polling was held in 18 constituencies on April 4 and 31 seats on April 11. The assembly has a total of 294 members.