EC issues 111 notices, files 75 cases against parties

As the fourth election candidate died in West Bengal due to Covid-19 on Sunday and questions hang heavy about the role of election campaigns in the spread of the pandemic in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India has finally cranked up pressure on political parties.
The EC poll machinery slapped 111 show cause notices on political parties, cancelled 158 meetings/rallies and rallies and lodged 75 police cases by April 24 for violation of Covid-19 norms, with maximum action taken over the last 2-3 days.

The poll panel stepped up action as the election wraps up in the state- the last two phases of the eight phase long assembly polls will end this week.

The maximum FIRs were lodged in Birbhum district – 35 of them- against the BJP, All India Trinammol Congress, Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India |(Marxist).

In Murshidabad, six FIRs were lodged against Trinamool Congress, five against Indian National Congress, three against CPI(M) and two against the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Cases have been filed under section 51(B) of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005. 51(B) refers to violations of government directions that is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years.

Section188 of the Indian Penal code has also been invoked in some cases. The said section of the IPC provides for imprisonment of either up to six months, or a fine or both.

Of the 111 show cause notices, 32 have gone to the BJP, 35 to TMC, 7 to the Congress and five to the CPI(M) among others.

The maximum action has been seen in the districts of Malda, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur, Murshidabad and Kolkata South, as per data until April 24.

Trinamool Congress candidate from Khardah Assembly constituency in North 24 Paraganas district Kajal Sinha succumbed to Covid on Sunday. Congress candidate for the Shamshergunj constituency Rezaul Haque as well as Revolutionary Socialist Party candidate Pradip Nandy died earlier due to the pandemic.TMC’s MLA candidate Abdur Rahman is also said to have died due to COVID 19.

On Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner RajiV Kumar had told off West Bengal top brass on ‘less than adequate’ action in checking violation of COVID 19 behaviour in election campaigns.

The state chief secretary, Chief Electoral officer and district electoral machinery were asked to ‘to step up its assigned statutory duty’ and ensure enforcement under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.