EC deploys more police observers for 5th phase of poll

Election Commission today deployed more police observers for the fifth and penultimate phase of election to West Bengal assembly on April 30.
With this the number of police observers in South 24 Parganas district has been increased to three from two and in Hooghly and Kolkata south to two each against one each deployed earlier, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar said here today.
The decision was taken after a review meeting with observers of the poll-bound districts, he said.
The review meet was attended by all general, police and expenditure observers of 53 constituencies in Kolkata, South 24-Parganas and Hooghly which go to the polls on Saturday.

Sarkar said the Election Commission had transferred five police officials yesterday ahead of the polling for the fifth phase.
A sub-inspector of Kasba police station, officers-in-charge of Jibantala, Panchasayar and Harwood Point Coastal police stations, besides the sub-divisional police officer of Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district were transferred with immediate effect.

BJP candidate Roopa Ganguly met the CEO during the day and lodged complaint of rigging in Howrah North seat from where she has contested.
Demanding repoll in 16 booths, Ganguly said the observers in her constituency could not be contacted when required. "I have also informed the EC Headquarter in Delhi about rigging in my constituency," she said.

CPI(M) leader from Hooghly district Sudarshan Roy Chowdhury too met the CEO urging him to ensure that the central forces are more active to prevent entry of outsiders to the district on polling day.
The sixth and last phase of polling will be held on May 5 and the results will be out on May 19.