WBSEC rules out any repoll in KMC polls

The West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) today ruled out the opposition demands for re-election in some booths under Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), where civic poll was held on April 18.
"We had received 19 complaints from different political parties, which were forwarded to the District Municipal Election Officer (DMEO) for review," State Election Commissioner S R Upadhyay said.
"After I received reports from the DMEO along with reports of the presiding officers, I found no match between the complaints and reports and thus we have rejected any repoll. Sorry I am helpless," Upadhyay added.
Meanwhile, Upadhyay today convened a meeting on law and order and deployment of security personnel for April 25 civic polls in the presence of state Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee and other senior officials of the law enforcing agencies.

Upadhyay later said that adequate deployment would be made on April 25 polls in 91 civic bodies state-wide to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
"To prevent area domination by the political parties, the Commission will not allow any motorbike rally," Upadhyay said.

"Entire border of the state with the neighbouring countries will be sealed and all government or other guest houses will remain vacant till the election is over," he said.
Out of three companies of central forces available for the civic poll, two companies of force have been deployed in North-24 Parganas district and the rest one company in Hooghly district for flag march in sensitive areas, Upadhyay said.

The opposition CPI(M) and BJP had already demanded that the SEC must initiate appropriate steps to avert recurrence of the violence and "rigging" during KMC polls in the ensuing civic polls to 91 municipalities on April 25.
They also demanded repoll in those booths "where the sealed EVMs are found not signed by the agents of opposition political parties during counting of votes."
"The WBSEC will take each and every step within its capacity to ensure the April 25 polls in 91 civic bodies will be well-organised and peaceful," Upadhyay said.