2 months ago
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A BJP delegation connected Monday (March 9, 2026) met the afloat seat of the Election Commission of India present and demanded that the 2026 West Bengal Assembly predetermination beryllium conducted successful not much than 3 phases.
The enactment besides demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should instrumentality measures for a violence-free West Bengal Assembly election.
The BJP delegation submitted a 16-point charter of demands highlighting concerns implicit the information situation successful the State up of the Assembly polls.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, on with Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, are gathering delegations of recognised nationalist and State parties connected Monday (March 8) to perceive their concerns and suggestions regarding the behaviour of elections, officials said.
BJP person Jagannath Chattopadhyay, who was portion of the three-member enactment delegation that met the CEC and Election Commissions (ECs), said the enactment has urged the Commission to restrict the Assembly polling docket to a maximum of 3 phases.
“We demanded a one, 2 oregon three-phase election, but not more,” helium said.
A cardinal interest raised by the BJP delegation related to the deployment and utilisation of astir 400 companies of cardinal forces presently stationed successful the State.
Mr. Chattopadhyay criticised the relation of the State constabulary successful directing these forces, alleging that the existing “confidence-building measures” were failing to reassure voters.
“We are dissatisfied with the mode the State constabulary is utilising the cardinal forces. If a violence-free and fearless situation is to beryllium created, the Commission indispensable instrumentality enactment against State constabulary and authorities officials who forestall voters from casting their ain ballots,” the enactment person said.
The enactment besides alleged that way marches were being deliberately conducted successful comparatively peaceful areas alternatively of delicate locations.
“I saw with my ain eyes that way marches are taking spot successful wholly peaceful areas. They are being conducted connected main roads wherever nary radical live—only vehicles pass. This is however the State constabulary is forcing the cardinal forces to operate,” BJP person Shishir Bajoria, who was besides portion of the delegation, said, adding that this violated ECI norms regarding delicate zones and ample multi-storey residential complex.
The BJP urged the Commission to drastically trim the duration of the predetermination process.
“Our archetypal request is to behaviour the predetermination successful one, 2 oregon astatine astir three-phase election. There is nary request for 7 oregon eight-phase election,” helium told reporters.
The enactment besides requested the ECI to redefine the criteria for identifying “sensitive” polling booths.
The BJP projected that immoderate booth signaling much than 85% polling oregon having a documented past of unit during oregon aft erstwhile elections should automatically beryllium classified arsenic delicate and provided further protection.
