‘Zero tolerance for violence’: CEC assures fair polls, seeks ‘non-partisan conduct’ of officers

Kolkata: The Election Commission will ensure free, fair and peaceful assembly polls in Bengal, chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Tuesday.

Commenting on law and order and helplessness of voters, Kumar said the EC has zero tolerance towards violence and any kind of intimidation and would take very strong action against the persons involved. "Earlier, pre-poll and post-poll violence took place (in Bengal), but it would not happen this time, we hope," he added.





Kumar said the commission's full bench, during its last two days of review of poll preparedness, had instructed state administration officials to strictly enforce the rule of law and operate without fear or favour.

"Non-partisan conduct of officers is necessary, and this we have made very clear during our interactions with the different levels of officers over the last two days," the CEC said.

"The Election Commission would like to ensure each and every elector that if any official associated with the elections process does not work as per the rule and law, EC will take very strong action against that person," he added.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Kumar said they have reviewed the law and order situation in the state. "All political parties, national or state, the entire state govt headed by the chief secretary and all district collectors, the commissioners of police, the director general of police and all SPs have assured the commission that elections which are going to be held shortly shall be violence-free and without any intimidation," he said.

The EC has decided to deploy central forces in a very professional manner as a confidence-building measure for electors, augmenting the state police to ensure that no unlawful activities take place in areas adjoining polling stations.

Speaking on the number of phases, Kumar said: "The Election Commission will be going back to Delhi and take a decision after taking into account all factors that were discussed in the review. In how many phases the elections could be conducted would be dependent on the law and order preparedness of the state machinery."

Evading a direct reply on the fate of 60 lakh voters whose cases are pending with judicial officers, the CEC said: "As directed by the Supreme Court, the supplementary list will be published and on getting the apex court's approval, the list will also be available on the website and will be shared on a time-to-time basis."

Speaking on the comments by Trinamool netas, including party chairperson Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, against the EC and CEC, Kumar said: "India is a free, democratic country and every political party has the right to say what it needs to say... The EC does not answer statements of all political parties. The EC acts under the Constitution and the law and avoids making political statements."

On the allegations that the Special Intensive Revision in Bengal has caused inconvenience to voters, the CEC said SIR was carried out in 12 states, including Bengal.

"The exercise has been carried out in a fair manner with active participation of officers at all levels," Kumar said. The main aim of the revision exercise is that not a single eligible voter would be excluded and not a single ineligible voter would remain included, he added.