Security to be stepped up at 5 ‘sensitive’ dists

The process of filing nominations will start on June 9 and will continue till June 15.

Bengal Panchayat polls, Security deployment, WB sensitive districts, West Bengal Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha, West Bengal panchayat elections, indian express, indian expressn news

The three-tier panchayat elections will be held in a single phase on July 8 with the counting of votes scheduled for July 11. (Representational/File)

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A day after the panchayat election dates were announced, West Bengal Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha held separate meetings with state Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi, district magistrates and superintendents of police on Friday to discuss the security arrangements for the rural polls.

The three-tier panchayat elections will be held in a single phase on July 8 with the counting of votes scheduled for July 11. The process of filing nominations will start on June 9 and will continue till June 15.

Sources said during the meeting between the SEC and the chief secretary, five districts – Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas – were identified as “sensitive” where special focus will be laid on ensuring tight security arrangements.

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Meanwhile, the state units of BJP and Congress on Friday moved the Calcutta High Court demanding that the time for filing nomination papers be increased.

Talking to media persons on Friday, Sinha said, “No decision has been taken as of now to extend the last date of filing nominations. The nomination process has just begun. If there is a need to make any changes then the same will be done as per the law.”

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