Clubbing of West Bengal poll phases not feasible: EC

The Election Commission of India has said that it is ‘not feasible’ to club the remaining phases of the West Bengal elections in view of legal provisions related to the notification of polls.

The Trinamool Congress had sought clubbing of phases 6,7 and 8 on account of the pandemic.

The party had argued that it can be done as 52 days of campaigning would have been available to all parties even with clubbing of phases.


The ECI, however, has said that the 52-day submission is ‘misleading’ and not in accordance with Section 30(d) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951.

The said provision, EC said, states says that notification of the schedule of elections ‘shall not be a date earlier than the fourteenth day after the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures’.

“Keeping this statutory requirement in view, notifications of the schedule of elections have been issued, which is at least 14 days period has been prescribed for each phase of the poll. Each phase of election is distinct and notified separately u/s 30 of the RP Act, 1951”, the ECI has said.

“The submission that 52 days of campaign period has been availed is not in accordance with law,” EC said, terming the TMC suggestion as ‘not feasible’.

Meanwhile, in a fresh advisory to parties, the EC has told them to comply with Covid protocols, failing which action, including cancellation of rallies, will be taken against them.