Poll body asks Bengal Guv to stay out of polling areas

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to not tour Cooch Behar on April 18 and 19 since the “silence period” for the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls commences on Wednesday evening.

Sources said that in its communication on Wednesday to the Governor’s office, the poll body said that under the Model Code of Conduct and because April 19 is a polling day, no local programme can be organised for the Governor.

Raj Bhavan sources said after receiving the Election Commission advisory, the Governor had decided to cancel his trip. “However, he will keep vigil on the poll process from Raj Bhavan where a special team will monitor the situation real-time and based on their feedback, the Governor will coordinate with the Election Commission and with individual parties, leaders and senior State officials.

People familiar with the matter said that the Election Commission had pointed out that since the district administration and police force would be fully occupied in election management on April 18 and 19, such a tour would be a “diversion” if they were to provide “local security cover” for this “unexpected proposed visit” without an “imminently known requirement”.

The silence period for Cooch Behar began at 6pm on Wednesday evening and thus imposed restrictions on campaigning under Section 126 of the Representation of Peoples Act.

The poll body has instructed all district election officers and district police chiefs to ensure that all high-profile persons, campaigners, political workers who are not voters within the area must exit the election area once the silence period commences to ensure a free and fair poll process.