EC to continue Bengal poll roll call beyond February 22

Sources in the EC said that the observers complained of non-cooperation on the part of the state administration, especially at the district level. They also brought to the Commission’s notice incidents of intimidation of people who complained to the observers regarding inaccuracies in the rolls.

Some observers also pointed out that it took their intervention to get FIRs against wrongdoers registered. The Commission took a serious view of such incidents and decided to take up the issue with the state government. The EC also expressed concern over poor execution of pending non-bailable warrants , as well as the failure to seize illegal firearms, for which, sources said, the EC would haul up the state government.

In no position to finalise the electoral rolls in such a go-slow atmosphere, the EC has decided to continue the process beyond February 22. The EC, of course, issued a warning to officials whose performance has not been up to the mark.

The observers, who visited the interior areas of the districts to interact with voters as well as political parties, also updated the Commission on the ground realities relating to the Electors Photo Identity Card coverage which also is being done at this time.