Getting increasingly fidgety over non-receipt of any confirmation from the Bengal Government about the availability of forces for the panchayat elections which is to be held from July 2, the State Election Commission is dashing off a stern letter to Writers’ Buildings on Monday, sources in the Commission said.
A week after the High Court permanently ruled that the Commission had the final say over the poll process, a senior SEC official said, “the Commission cannot wait for eternity. Currently, it is completely in the dark over the availability of forces without which the polls are not possible.”
The Government, which was dragged to the court by the Commission on a host of poll-related issues including its persistent refusal to bring Central forces, seemed to have even failed in its commitment given to the High Court of arranging “requisite” number of forces for the three-phased polls.
At present the Commission needs at least 1.5 lakh forces to conduct the first phase elections in nine districts which had already been torn with violence.
loaded with thousands of complaints of threats against filing of nominations the Commission has in the meanwhile asked the district magistrates to explain why a record number of 7,500 “uncontested” victories by the ruling Trinamool Congress. “The Commission has for the time being asked the districts not to issue winning certificates to such candidates,” the official said, adding “we will on Monday specifically ask the Government how many forces they would be able to provide and by when.”
Currently the Government has in its disposal about 56,000 forces, which amount to a shortage of about 1 lakh requisitioned by the Commission.
In fact based on the Government’s response, the Commission may move the High Court seeking directions as to its next move on conduct of polls. In the court, the Commission may raise the question of breaking the three-phased polls into higher number of phases if the Government fails to provide the adequate number of police personnel, sources said.
The Commission could also extend the date of filing of nomination in districts where there has been complaints of threats, intimidations and uncontested wins, sources said.