The Election Commission of India has issued strict directives to strengthen law and order and ensure fair elections in West Bengal. The Commission has ordered the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to execute all pending non-bailable arrest warrants in the state within the next 10 days.
The Commission clarified that individuals against whom such warrants are issued should be arrested and detained within the prescribed timeframe. This step was taken to ensure a safe and fair election environment.
The Commission also reminded that, after the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, all government employees work under the Election Commission. Therefore, any negligence may result in strict disciplinary action.
Under the directives, sub-divisional police officers and deputy superintendent-level officers have been asked to prepare lists of criminals and launch special operations against them. This includes raids, searches, and the identification of sensitive areas. They have also been asked to keep a special eye on history-sheeters and criminals with violent tendencies.
The Commission also directed that security of the campaign programmes of all political parties should be ensured and there should be no lapse in the security of the staff engaged in election duty.
The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases. Voting will take place on April 23 for 152 seats, while the second phase will be held on April 29 for 142 seats. The election results will be declared on May 4.
This tough stance clearly indicates that the Commission will not tolerate any disruption in the election process or any law and order problem at any cost.