Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar visited the revered Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata to offer prayers and seek divine blessings for the well-being of the people of West Bengal. He reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections in the state during his visit. Kumar emphasized the importance of maintaining an inclusive and fearless democratic process for every voter, stating that the upcoming elections would be conducted with transparency and security.
The temple visit occurred as part of the Election Commission of India’s review of electoral preparations in West Bengal ahead of the crucial Assembly elections. The Commission’s full Bench, led by Kumar, arrived in Kolkata from New Delhi for a comprehensive assessment of election-related matters. Upon their arrival at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, the delegation was welcomed by West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal and the state’s Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty.
Engaging with representatives of all registered political parties in the state, the Commission’s full Bench commenced its activities in Kolkata. Each party was given around 10 minutes to present their concerns and suggestions directly to the Commission. Discussions focused on various issues, including the adjudication of voters’ documents flagged as “logical discrepancy” cases and the review of administrative and logistical readiness for the upcoming Assembly polls.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress is expected to be the first party to interact with the Commission’s full Bench during the scheduled meetings. The Election Commission’s visit is considered a significant step towards evaluating the ground situation and reaffirming the institutional commitment to conducting transparent and credible elections in West Bengal.
