ECI meets parties in West Bengal, max two-phase polling sought

Kolkata: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said in Kolkata on Monday that the ECI will have "zero tolerance" towards violence and intimidation of electors and election staff during the forthcoming elections. During a meeting with the full-bench of the Election Commission of India, major political parties including the BJP, Congress and CPI-M, barring the Trinamool, on Monday demanded polls in single or two phases.

The CPI-M and Congress delegation, which met the ECI bench, have requested that elections should be conducted after adjudication of the 60 lakh voters gets completed.

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Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, conducted a comprehensive review of the poll preparedness on Monday. They met various political parties, each of whom was allotted 15 minutes. "We have sought one or two phase polling and want violence-free, fair and free elections," BJP leader Sisir Bajoria said. A three-member delegation, led by Bajoria, met the ECI bench and submitted a 16-point memorandum. The CPI-M delegation, led by party state secretary Mohd Salim, said, "We have demanded one or two phase polls. We also put forth our demand on the adjudication of 60 lakh people and that polls should not be conducted before that, depriving them of voting rights."

Former MP Pradip Bhattacharya, who led the Congress delegation said: "If they can ensure safety and security in one phase, we agree with single phase. If safety can be ensured in two phases, then we will accept polling in two or more phases. We are concerned over the 60 lakh adjudication cases. Will their names be included? How many will be deleted? Around 11 lakh are under adjudication in Malda, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur. We have sought the reasons for this."

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"CEC Gyanesh Kumar assured the political parties that elections are held as per the law and ECI will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring an impartial, transparent and free and fair polls in West Bengal," ECI said in a statement. "Political parties urged the Commission to take stringent measures to curb the aggression of anti-social elements and ensure that there is no intimidation of voters during the elections," the ECI said.