Even as the country continues to register a record number of COVID-19 infections, the Election Commission of India (ECI), on Thursday, clarified that the remaining four phases of West Bengal assembly polls will not be clubbed.
Four phases of the eight-phase assembly elections in the state have been completed. The fifth phase of the polls will be held on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra slammed the EC decision to hold the assembly polls in the state in eight phases, calling it "criminal negligence bordering on manslaughter."
"It is certainly criminal negligence bordering on manslaughter on part of @ECISVEEP to mandate 8 phase election in WB in middle of worst pandemic. Unbelievable that we are being put through this. Infections, deaths rising everyday." she had said in a tweet.
It is certainly criminal negligence bordering on manslaughter on part of @ECISVEEP to mandate 8 phase election in WB in middle of worst pandemic.
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) April 15, 2021
Unbelievable that we are being put through this. Infections, deaths rising everyday.
Meanwhile, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of West Bengal Aariz Aftab has called for an all-party meeting on Friday to discuss strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols issued by the ECI. According to media reports, political parties have been asked to send one representative each to the meeting during which various protocols to be followed during the remaining phases of campaigning and polling would be discussed. State Additional Director General of police (Law and Order) Jag Mohan and state health secretary N.S. Nigam will also be present in the meeting.
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The meeting comes also in the wake of Calcutta High Court direction to the CEO and all district magistrates in the state to ensure strict implementation of COVID-19 protocol during campaigning for the remaining phases of the state election.
The Calcutta High Court had, on Tuesday, directed that all health-related guidelines should be maintained in the strictest possible manner with regard to campaigning by political parties for the polls in view of the resurgence in COVID-19 cases. A division bench presided by Chief Justice T.B.N. Radhakrishnan had ordered that all district magistrates will ensure that the guidelines laid down by the EC and CEO are strictly implemented in letter and spirit and if necessary, with police aid.
The court had said it is in the public interest that the administration should ensure that all the COVID-19 guidelines are strictly adhered to by all concerned, including those engaged in election campaign activities.
—With PTI inputs
