LF demands urgent SEC steps for free, fair panchayat polls

CPI(M)-led opposition Left Front today submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the state election commission, demanding urgent steps to ensure free, fair and peaceful panchayat polls in the next four phases in West Bengal.
In a memorandum to the state election commissioner Mira Pandey, Front Chairman Biman Bose alleged that the way the first phase of rural polls held on July 11 was ''worrisome, undesirable and against all democratic norms''.
Bose further alleged that there were ''rampant electoral malpractices'' in vast areas where central forces were not deployed on July 11.
Submitting a 10-point charter of demands, the Front Chairman said that the commission should ensure security of both candidates and their agents on the day of polling, deploy central forces and armed police in sensitive areas, step up police surveillance and immediately ban infiltration of unauthorised persons, vehicles and motorbikes on day of polling.

Calling for strict adherence of court orders and commission's restrictions in the holding of next phases of polls, Bose said security of ballot boxes be tightened and steps be taken against violation of poll campaign schedules.
The memorandum also demanded that the commission inform what steps it had taken in regard to violation of the election code of conduct.