LF to oppose EC's decision for poll review for high turnout

Kolkata, Apr 18 (UNI) Lambasting the Election Commission (EC) for deciding to review the reasons behind high percentage of polling in some booths yesterday, the ruling Left Front (LF) in West Bengal has decided to oppose repolling, if any such move will be ordered.

Describing the EC's decision as totally ''unwarranted and uncalled for'', the Left Front Committee, in a statement here today, clarified that ''polling percentage was expected to be high this time because of special efforts taken by the EC to delete the names of dead and absentees. But in spite of this, if exercise of voting rights by large number of people is looked with suspision and subjected to review without any valid reason, it should be considered as unfortunate step which goes against the spirit of Parliamentary democracy. '' '' This would send wrong signal to the electorate in the coming four phases of elections by way of discouraging them to cast their votes, '' the statement said.

Questioning the rights of the EC under the Constitution, the LF Committee reminded that it was in fact constituted ''to ensure a free and fair poll and protect the fundamental rights of the electorate'', adding that ''in Parliamentary democracy it is desirable that all elegible citizens should exercise their franchise with valid voters photo identity cards. '' Accordingly, they said, '' any decision by the Commission to order repoll in any booth in any of 45 constituencies where polling was held yesterday, would be opposed by the the Left Front along with all democratic parties in the state. '' UNI ABA SJC KD HT1928