WB panchayat poll : SEC asks police to tighten security

With opposition parties alleging that they are not being allowed to file papers for the May rural polls in West Bengal, the SEC today asked the police administration to tighten security in and around the nomination centers to avoid any untoward incident.

The State Election Commission (SEC) has also asked the district administrations to clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 Crpc "if they feel necessary" in and around the nomination centers to avoid assembling of crowds in and around nomination centers.

"We have asked the police to ensure full proof security so that no sort of violence takes place over filing of nominations. The police should ensure that candidates of all the parties are allowed to file nominations freely," a senior SEC official said.

"We have also asked the district administration that if they feel necessary they can clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 in an around nomination centers to avoid assembling of crowds," the official said.

Asked about reports of violence over filing of nominations from various parts of the state, the official said the SEC is looking into the matter.

Caught off guard with the announcement of panchayat poll in West Bengal, the opposition parties today alleged that the ruling TMC activists were not allowing its candidates to file their nomination papers. The TMC termed the allegation as baseless.

The rural polls in West Bengal would be held in 20 districts on May 1, 3 and 5. The filing of the nominations began today and will continue till April 9.