Kolkata, April 3 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday requested the West Bengal Police to submit a status report on the implementation of the Commission's earlier order, which mandated the withdrawal of state-provided security for tainted political leaders with criminal records, regardless of their political affiliations.
The ECI has asked the state police's nodal officers for the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections to submit the report by noon.
Earlier, the Commission had directed the withdrawal of state-provided security for leaders, irrespective of their political affiliation, including those who are out on bail or parole, any leader accused of a criminal case in the past, and those with a criminal history.
The deadline for withdrawing state-provided security for such leaders was midnight on Thursday. The Commission also directed the withdrawal of security cover for those leaders who were enjoying unauthorized state-provided security despite not being entitled to it as per protocol.
The Commission also gave a similar direction to those tainted political leaders against whom non-bailable arrest warrants are yet to be implemented. In such cases, the Commission's strict order was to implement those non-bailable arrest warrants within a reasonable period.
The Commission also directed the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to dispose of all poll-related criminal cases as soon as possible.
The sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) or the deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) were also directed by the ECI to immediately prepare a list of absconding criminals and conduct special raids and search operations to apprehend them.
The officers-in-charge (OCs) and the inspectors-in-charge (ICs) were instructed to immediately identify the areas under their respective jurisdictions that are highly prone to criminal activities, and also identify rowdy elements or individuals with a history of involvement in poll-related violence.
The OCs and ICs have been advised by the Commission to ensure absolute security for political campaign programmes, irrespective of political parties, besides ensuring the safety of those involved in electoral duties.
The two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, polling will be conducted for 152 Assembly constituencies, and in the second phase, voting will take place for the remaining 142 seats. The results will be declared on May 4.