New Delhi: To further facilitate voter convenience in the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday approved the creation of 4,660 auxiliary polling stations in areas where the number of voters exceeds 1,200.
The Commission has also approved the shifting of 321 polling stations to improve accessibility for voters.
With these additions, the total number of polling stations, including auxiliary ones, has increased to 85,379 across the state.
Referring to letter no. 3485-Home (Elec) dated March 28, the Commission stated that it has approved the proposals contained therein, subject to certain conditions. Regarding the establishment of auxiliary polling stations, strict compliance with the Commission’s instructions, as outlined in para 4.2.2 of the Manual on Polling Stations, 2020, must be ensured, it said.
The Commission also directed that all recognised political parties be informed in writing about these changes to ensure transparency and smooth conduct of the elections.
“In case of a change in Polling Station location, it must be ensured without fail that all the voters of that Polling Station housed in that location are informed individually by the concerned authorities,” the ECI said.
“Wide publicity regarding the setting up of Auxiliary Polling Stations and shifting of Polling Stations may be given in the respective Polling Station areas, and the recognised political parties be informed in writing,” it added.
The ECI is also set to deploy a record 2.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel in the state.
According to officials, the Commission has also put in place a detailed post-poll security plan, and, on Friday, decided to continue deployment of 500 companies of central forces in the state even after the counting of votes on May 4.
On April 3, the ECI had taken serious note of the large number of police personnel deployed by West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to provide personal security to Trinamool Congress leaders at various levels in the state.
The Commission has also flagged an allegedly biased approach in the selection of leaders for state-provided security cover, with ruling party leaders enjoying disproportionately high security, sources in the Commission said.
The ECI noted that before the announcement of the elections, the West Bengal government had deployed 2,185 police personnel to provide security to 832 persons belonging directly to the Trinamool and 144 others, including supporters of the ruling party.
It has taken serious note of the matter and directed the Director General of Police, Sidh Nath Gupta, to conduct a strict professional review within the next two to three days in a fair and equitable manner, the sources added.
(IANS)
