BJP Calls for Streamlined Elections, Enhanced Security in West Bengal

The BJP in West Bengal has requested the Election Commission of India to streamline the election process into one or two phases, bolstered by early deployment of central forces. They also recommend measures like removing local police influence and placing webcams at polling stations for transparent elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to simplify the state's polling process by consolidating the elections into one or two phases, as opposed to the extensive seven to eight-phase format used in prior elections. This request was detailed in a written submission to the ECI.

Additionally, the BJP called for the early deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure they are adequately familiar with local conditions. The BJP emphasized the need for CAPF independence, noting past instances where local interactions impacted their operations. Observers should be deployed early to conduct impartial assessments and guide CAPF activities without reliance on local police inputs.

The state BJP has also flagged concerns over the West Bengal Police Welfare Organisation, which they allege acts as a proxy for the TMC by manipulating police voting. They demand its prohibition during elections. Furthermore, they suggested enhancements to polling day operations, including dual-stage voter identification and mandatory webcam monitoring of polling stations. The BJP emphasized that state personnel and volunteers should not interfere with the election process, advocating for a balanced presence of state and central officers during counting. Amidst these demands, a TMC delegation also engaged with ECI officials in Kolkata.

(With inputs from agencies.)