Kolkata, Apr 16 (PTI) The Election Commission has stepped up its review of poll preparedness in West Bengal, with senior officials travelling to districts across the state to hold meetings with top officebearers.
Enforcement agencies reported seizures worth more than Rs 416 crore in cash and other prohibited items since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect on March 15, an official said on Thursday. During the past three days, senior election officials have been visiting the districts to assess security arrangements, readiness of polling stations, movement of polling personnel and voter awareness measures as part of efforts to ensure smooth conduct of the multi-phase elections, he said.
A team led by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti reviewed preparations in Purba Bardhaman, Bankura and Hooghly with district election officers, superintendents of police and observers.
Another delegation headed by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Pawan Kumar Sharma held similar meetings with officials in Nadia and Murshidabad, the official said.
“Separate review meetings were also held in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri to take stock of voter awareness campaigns and media monitoring, while the final round of discussions in Kolkata focused on arrangements in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and the city,” he said.
The poll panel had asked district administrations to maintain strict neutrality and ensure that all logistical issues were addressed well before polling day, he said.
“The effort is to ensure that every voter can cast a ballot in a secure and fear-free atmosphere and that the entire process remains transparent,” a senior election official said.
Meanwhile, enforcement agencies have seized cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals and other inducements worth Rs 416.93 crore across West Bengal since February 26, according to the state CEO’s office.
The seizures include cash worth Rs 19.73 crore, liquor valued at Rs 78.40 crore, narcotics worth Rs 95.75 crore, precious metals worth Rs 52.16 crore and freebies worth more than Rs 170 crore, he said. Several large recoveries were made at airports, railway stations and interstate border checkpoints by agencies such as the CISF, BSF, state police and other central agencies, the official pointed out. As part of preventive measures, police have seized 327 illegal arms, 539 cartridges and more than 1,100 crude bombs, while over 41,500 licensed firearms have been deposited with the authorities, he said. More than 17.71 lakh instances of political defacement from public and private properties had also been removed across districts as part of the enforcement of the MCC, he said. The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases, on April 23 and 29. Counting is scheduled on May 4. PTI SCH NN NN
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