West Bengal: EC could advance polls ‘due to exams, violence’

The notification for the West Bengal Assembly polls is more likely to be issued in mid-February, and elections may very well be held sooner than anticipated owing to Board exams and political violence, The Indian Express has learnt.
Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain, who was on a two-day go to to the state, is alleged to have raised considerations over legislation and order, the PTI information company quoted sources as saying.
It was additionally learnt that Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, and Election Commissioners Shushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar will go to the state later this month to take inventory of ballot preparedness.
“Due to school Board exams scheduled in April and May, polls could be held earlier than expected. The decision could be taken in the view of widespread violence in the state. On the other hand, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, and Election Commissioners Shushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar could visit the state next week to monitor the poll preparation. Nothing has been finalised yet. The decision would be taken based on the report of the deputy election commissioner,” stated a supply within the workplace of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal.
The tenure of the Mamata Banerjee authorities ends on May 30.
Usually, the Assembly polls in Bengal are held in April and May in a number of phases. Sources stated this time, the polls may very well be held both in six or seven phases.
Jain on Thursday held a gathering with the state chief secretary, dwelling secretary and director normal of police at a metropolis resort and mentioned measures to conduct polls in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sources stated voters above the age of 80, individuals with incapacity and residential quarantined Covid-19 sufferers could be allowed to train their franchise by postal ballots.
The variety of cubicles is more likely to be elevated to 1 lakh from the prevailing 78,000 to make sure social distancing.

The deputy election commissioner sought to know from the School Education Department secretary the variety of faculties that have been broken within the cyclone Amphan final 12 months.
Sources stated about 250 faculties in Sundarban have been broken within the cyclone. Jain additionally requested the state well being secretary about preparations for the vaccination and spoke with the DGP on legislation and order.