Post-poll violence won't be tolerated: EC

The Election Commission on Monday said that no post-poll violence will be tolerated and strict action will be taken against the perpetrators.

As the polling for 49 seats in the fourth phase of assembly elections in West Bengal concluded on Monday, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said officials would be held accountable if proper action is not taken against the miscreants.

"No violence, including any post-poll violence, will be tolerated. Officials will be held accountable and action initiated against them if they fail to bring the miscreants to book," Saxena said.

On Monday, polls were held in 49 constituencies in two districts of West Bengal. In these, 6,189 polling stations were put in the "vulnerable" category.

The EC said that till 5 p.m., 78.05 percent voting was recorded.

Reports of clashes came from some places. The police have lodged three FIRs and 18 people have been arrested for violation of the model code of conduct or indulging in violence, the EC said.

"While some miscreants have been arrested, raids are being conducted to nab others," Saxena said.

To maintain law and order, non-bailable warrants were issued against 5,832 people while 6,079 people were barred under various sections of the Code for Criminal Procedure, he said.

Authorities seized Rs.1.51 crore apart from 7.16 lakh litres of illicit liquor and 454 illegal firearms.

--IANS

mak/tsb/bg