Much stronger deployment of central forces during polls: Zutshi
The Election Commission today said deployment of central forces during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be much stronger than what it was during the 2009 elections to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls in the state.
"Rest assured we shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the poll is free and fair and there is no intimidation," Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told a press conference after meeting the national and state recognised political parties, besides reviewing the law and order situation in the state.
"The state has over 77,000 polling booths, nearly 25 per cent of which are highly sensitive. Many others are in the second level of critical nature as per vulnerability study. All of them will be covered by central forces," Zutshi said.
Stating that booths in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas would also be covered under central forces, he said rest of the booths would be brought under domination by the central forces, besides deployment of the state armed forces. Zutshi, however, declined to divulge details about the total number of central forces to be deployed this time saying "a large number of deployment will be there".
To a question, he said, "Once the deployment pattern of the central forces are finalised, it cannot be changed without the approval of central observers." Meeting the DMs, SPs and senior officials on poll preparedness, Zutshi said the officials have been asked to initiate prompt and immediate action against violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
"Also we assured all political parties to come down heavily against violation of the MCC," he said.
The Commission has this time specially strengthened expenditure monitoring to prevent misuse of money power during the election process, he said. We have heard several complaints from different political parties regarding derogatory remarks, defacement of properties and threats under various Lok Sabha constituencies, and have assured the complainants to look into them and take appropriate action at the right time.
To a question, if he was satisfied with the law and order situation in the state, Zutshi preferred to avoid a direct answer and said, "The EC will continue to keep a close watch on the law and order situation in the state to ensure a congenial atmosphere for polling."
Webcasting has also been arranged during the poll this time from a large number of polling stations, besides videography and several other specialised monitoring to prevent intimidation or threat to voters or polling personnel, he said. All DMs and SPs have also been asked to expedite execution of Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) in their respective areas, Zutshi said replying to a question.
"Rest assured we shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the poll is free and fair and there is no intimidation," Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told a press conference after meeting the national and state recognised political parties, besides reviewing the law and order situation in the state.
"The state has over 77,000 polling booths, nearly 25 per cent of which are highly sensitive. Many others are in the second level of critical nature as per vulnerability study. All of them will be covered by central forces," Zutshi said.
Stating that booths in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas would also be covered under central forces, he said rest of the booths would be brought under domination by the central forces, besides deployment of the state armed forces. Zutshi, however, declined to divulge details about the total number of central forces to be deployed this time saying "a large number of deployment will be there".
To a question, he said, "Once the deployment pattern of the central forces are finalised, it cannot be changed without the approval of central observers." Meeting the DMs, SPs and senior officials on poll preparedness, Zutshi said the officials have been asked to initiate prompt and immediate action against violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
"Also we assured all political parties to come down heavily against violation of the MCC," he said.
The Commission has this time specially strengthened expenditure monitoring to prevent misuse of money power during the election process, he said. We have heard several complaints from different political parties regarding derogatory remarks, defacement of properties and threats under various Lok Sabha constituencies, and have assured the complainants to look into them and take appropriate action at the right time.
To a question, if he was satisfied with the law and order situation in the state, Zutshi preferred to avoid a direct answer and said, "The EC will continue to keep a close watch on the law and order situation in the state to ensure a congenial atmosphere for polling."
Webcasting has also been arranged during the poll this time from a large number of polling stations, besides videography and several other specialised monitoring to prevent intimidation or threat to voters or polling personnel, he said. All DMs and SPs have also been asked to expedite execution of Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) in their respective areas, Zutshi said replying to a question.
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First Published: Mar 25 2014 | 8:23 PM IST