All registered political parties, except the ruling Trinamool Congress, have requested single-phase or at most two-phase polling for the upcoming crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal. This demand was made during their meeting with the full Bench of the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The BJP’s West Bengal unit has officially disclosed details of their discussion with the ECI’s full Bench, advocating for condensed polling schedules.
The BJP emphasized to the ECI that conducting elections in a single or two phases within a short timeframe would be more efficient than elongated seven to eight-phase polls spanning over six weeks. Presenting a 16-point demand to the ECI, the BJP prioritized single or two-phase polling as their primary request. Similarly, both the CPI(M) and Congress delegations also urged for streamlined polling processes during their interactions with the ECI’s Bench.
The CPI(M) state secretary in West Bengal, Md Salim, and former Congress Rajya Sabha member Pradip Bhattacharya, affirmed their parties’ stance on advocating for single or two-phase polling in the state. However, Bhattacharya highlighted that beyond the number of phases, the Congress delegation emphasized the importance of ensuring free and fair elections in West Bengal. Notably, the ruling Trinamool Congress did not push for a single or two-phase poll during their meeting with the ECI’s full Bench.
West Bengal Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, part of the Trinamool Congress delegation, clarified that the discussion with the ECI’s full Bench did not delve into the specifics of polling phases. The Commission revealed that nearly all political parties, in their interactions, favored one or two-phase polling in West Bengal this election cycle. Additionally, parties urged the Commission to take strict actions against anti-social elements and prevent voter intimidation in the upcoming elections.
