In the poll-bound West Bengal, all the necessary
preparations are being finalised for the Seventh Phase polling of
Assembly Elections on Monday. The polling will be conducted from 7.00
A.M. to 6.30 P.M. The Election Commission has decided to use Voter
Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with Electronic Voting
Machine (EVM) at every Polling Station, with a view to enhance the
transparency and credibility of the election process, as VVPAT allows
the voter to verify his/her vote. The arrangements have already been
made to ensure availability of adequate number of EVMs and VVPATs for
the smooth conduct of elections.
In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the Election Commission has
decided to allow maximum 1,000 electors in a Polling Station instead of
earlier stipulation of 1,500 electors. Option of Postal Ballot facility
has been extended to the electors who are COVID- 19 positive or suspect
as certified by competent authority and are in home or institutional
quarantine along with those marked as Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
and above the age of 80 years. It will be ensured that every Polling
Station is equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) like drinking
water, waiting shed, toilet with water facility, adequate arrangements
for lighting, ramp of appropriate gradient for the Persons with
Disabilities. The special facilities will include mandatory sanitization
of Polling Station, thermal checking of voters at entry point either by
polling staff or paramedical staff or an Asha worker. If temperature is
above the set norms of Health Ministry, then the elector will be
provided with token and asked to come for voting at the last hour of
poll. At the last hour of poll, such electors will be facilitated for
voting, strictly following COVID-19 related preventive measures.
The high-profile electioneering campaign for the Seventh Phase of
Assembly Elections concluded last evening on a subdued note. In view of
rising cases of COVID-19, the Election Commission prohibited any road
shows, Pad-Yatras and vehicle rallies in light of non-adherence to the
COVID protocols by many political parties. In an order issued on
Thursday, the Central Poll body said that public meetings beyond the
limit of 500 persons will not be allowed in the state. The new
provisions will be in place till the conclusion of the ongoing polls.
Taking strong cognisance of the non-adherence of COVID protocols during
campaigning by several political parties, the Commission reiterated its
direction to all the political parties to strictly adhere to the COVID
protocols in all the future rallies in the state. Earlier, the poll body
decided to curtail the campaign timing for the remaining phases of
eight-phase Assembly Elections. The Commission banned campaigning from 7
P.M. to 10 A.M. on all days, when it is allowed. It also extended the
Silence Period from 48 hours to 72 hours before polling for the
remaining phases and as a result, the campaign ended last evening.
In the wake of COVID-19, all the prominent political parties decided not
to hold big rallies and public meetings in West Bengal. The polling
process is already over in respect of 223 out of the total 294 Assembly
seats in the earlier six phases.
During the Seventh Phase, total 268 candidates including 37 women will
be vying for the 34 out of previously scheduled 36 Assembly seats spread
over five districts of West Bengal going to polls on Monday as the poll
process in respect of Samserganj and Jangipur was adjourned by the
Election Commission following deaths of the candidates in the two
Assembly Constituencies. Over 81.88 lakh voters including 39.87 lakh
women and 221 Third Gender persons will decide the fate of these
candidates. Total 11,376 Polling Stations have been set up for this
purpose. Ruling AITC and Bharatiya Janata Party are contesting for all
the 34 seats. Congress, Left parties and their alliance partner Indian
Secular Front are fighting under the banner of Sanyukta Morcha. Bahujan
Samaj Party has fielded 25 candidates, Congress has 18, CPI (M) - 12,
ISF - four, RSP- three and AIFB - one while there are 63 independents
along with 74 others are also in the fray.
The prominent candidates participating in this phase include State
Ministers and AITC candidates Subrata Sah from Sagardighi, Firhad Hakim
from Kolkata Port, Subrata Mukherjee from Ballygunge,Malay Ghatak from
Asansol Uttar along with Sovondev Chattopadhyay who is taking on BJP
candidate and actor Rudranil Ghosh from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's
erstwhile constituency of Bhabanipur. BJP has fielded noted Economist
Ashoke Kumar Lahiri from Balurghat and former Mayor of Asansol Kumar
Jitendra Twari from Pandabeswar while CPI (M) Central Committee Member
Abhas Roy Chowdhury from Durgapur Purba, Congress leaders Mostaque Alam
from Harishchandrapur, Mainul Haque from Farakka and Abu Hena from
Lalgola are also in the fray. In addition, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Students Union President Aishi Ghosh is the CPI (M) candidate from
Jamuria while BJP candidate and Fashion Designer Agnimitra Paul and AITC
candidate Sayani Ghosh are vying with each other in Asansol Dakshin.
Presently, the election campaign is in full swing for the Eighth and
Final Phase of the Assembly Elections as the prominent leaders of
different political parties engaging in whirlwind tours for canvassing
in favour of their candidates. The remaining 35 Assembly Constituencies
spread over four districts will go to polls in the Eighth and Final
Phase on 29th of April. The counting of votes will be taken up together
on 2nd of May.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission issued
fresh poll notifications in respect of Samserganj and Jangipur Assembly
Constituencies. The polling in these two constituencies will now be held
on 16th of May and the whole process of elections will be completed by
21st of May. Similarly, in case of Assembly By-poll to Pipili seat in
Odisha, the polling will be held on 16th of May and the counting of
votes will be taken up on 19th of May.
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(With input from news agency language)
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