KOLKATA: Heightening anticipation for fair polls, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s team schedules a two-day Kolkata sojourn from March 9, arriving the previous night. The visit targets thorough evaluation of West Bengal’s electoral machinery.
In an exclusive, CEO Manoj Agarwal detailed the packed schedule. ‘Discussions will cover critical areas under CEC’s leadership,’ he said, dismissing voter roll tampering claims: ‘Every step aligns with protocols; ECI will address specifics post consultations.’
March 9 opens with party reps briefing the bench from 10 AM to noon, each allocated 10 minutes. Agarwal follows at 12:30 PM with a 30-minute overview of court rulings and prep status.
Security takes center stage post-lunch, with a 15-minute meet involving state-center agencies, 24 in total, joined by district heads. Day two, March 10, convenes senior bureaucrats like Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty and acting DGP Piyush Pandey for strategic alignments.
This hands-on approach reflects ECI’s resolve to preempt issues, fostering a level playing field in a state rife with partisan tensions. Outcomes could shape final directives for smooth voting.