'Loose knots' in WB poll mechanism in 1st phase: CPI(M)

CPI(M) today approached the Election Commission demanding it to address "loose knots" observed in the electoral mechanism, including security cover during first phase of polling in West Bengal.
In a memorandum submitted to EC, CPI(M) also sought action against incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly intimidating opposition parties and "instilling" fear psychosis among voters during election meetings.
"We have generally experienced a prompt response on our complaints to observers and other functionaries of EC on the ground (during first phase).
"Having said this, there are still loose knots in the electoral mechanism which need to be addressed," the memorandum said quoting party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and its Central Secretariat member Nilotpal Basu.

The two leaders said that there were quite a few instances where, "contrary to earlier pronouncements", state police officials were found inside polling booths and in some instances, were even found "influencing voters".
They accused state police officials of "misdirecting" central police forces in area domination in localities. CRPF also was found in some instances to be placed outside the booths rather than inside, they claimed.

A major problem observed during the phase was "inadequate" time quick response teams stayed put in a place of an incident, which allowed "miscreants" to regroup immediately after the CRPF left, leading to "recurrence of trouble," Yechury and Basu said.

"Along with these issues, we would like to politely remind you of certain issues we had flagged earlier. The issue of disposing of complaints against Trinamool chairperson Mamata Banerjee and Anubrata Mondal, Birbhum district president of TMC as well as Rajeev Kumar, the CP of Kolkata.
"We also reiterate the demand for early deployment of additional companies of Central security forces, as soon as they are available after the Assam elections are over, to step up area domination," they demanded.
Eighteen seats went to polls on April 4, in the first of the six-phase polling in West Bengal. 133 candidates were in the fray.

There were 4,945 polling stations, out of which 1,962 were classified as critical ones by the Election Commission.