Rigging allegations: EC seeks reports on 43 polling booths in Bengal

, May 4: The

(EC) has sought reports on 43 polling booths in nine Lok Sabha constituencies that went to the polls on April 30 from its Kolkata office. The move was made in the wake of the state Opposition parties' allegations that the polling in this phase was not free and fair. The decision was also made a couple of days after the EC's special observer, Sudhir Kumar Rakesh, ruled out charges of foul play in this phase.

The EC has also decided to take into considertaion the opinion of candidates while deploying forces. Force deployment is not going to be the only jurisdiction of the returning officer, district magistrates and superintendents of police and the candidate's opinion, along with the DM's report on deployment of force will be taken up a three-member panel of the EC and the final call will be taken by a high-powered committee.

The Opposition parties accused the Trinamool of rigging in the third phase

Of the 43 booths from which reports have been sought, 26 are from Hooghly parliamentary constituency, 11 from Birbhum, five from Howrah and one from Burdwan-Durgapur.

The Congress, BJP and Left Front accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of massive rigging in many booths in the April 30 elections. The EC drew ire of the Opposition for failing to hold fair polls. It was also alleged that central forces were not seen while booths were being captured in the state. The Left also gave a three-page memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner about the alleged rigging in over 1,300 polling booths.

Meanwhile, other reports said that the EC decided to send another 150 companies of central forces to the state for the remaining two phases.

Oneindia News