An all party-meet known as by the Election Commission in Kolkata concluded with political parties promising to adhere to choice that the EC will take provided the COVID-19 scenario in West Bengal. Talking to reporters right after the meeting, the BJP mentioned that it has assured the EC of complete cooperation. “We’ve advised the Election Commission to balance the need for a robust democratic culture with safety norms. It is up to the EC to tell us what exactly political parties must do. We’ve assured them that we’ll adhere to protocols,” mentioned Swapan Das Gupta of the BJP.
The TMC has currently mentioned that it desires the EC to wrap up remaining 4 phases of polls in one go. “Amid an ongoing pandemic, we firmly opposed Election Commission’s decision to conduct WB polls in 8 phases. Now, in view of the huge surge in COVID-19 cases, I urge the ECI to consider holding the remaining phases in ONE go. This will protect the people from further exposure to COVID 19,” mentioned Mamata Banerjee in a tweet.
The Election Commission has known as for an all-party meet yesterday right after the Calcutta High Court sought its response on the actions and actions taken on COVID-19 security protocols through the poll campaign. Notably, West Bengal had reported its highest ever surge in Covid-19 circumstances as it registered almost 6,000 new circumstances.
Two PILs have been filed in the Calcutta High Court with regards to election campaigns and COVID protocols. Hearing the PILs, a division bench headed by Chief Justice TBN Radhakrishnan ordered all district magistrates to make certain strict implementation of the recommendations laid down by the EC and CEO.
Earlier yesterday, the Election Commission has dismissed speculation that the final 3 phases of assembly polls in West Bengal could be clubbed provided the surge in coronavirus circumstances. The EC mentioned that clubbing of the rest 3 phases is legally difficult. West Bengal is voting in an eight-phase election and a substantial quantity of people today have been attending political rallies flouting all COVID-19 norms such as social distancing and wearing of masks. Amid the increasing quantity of COVID-19 circumstances, the EC had on April 9 flagged situations of star campaigners and leaders campaigning without the need of masks and warned that it will not hesitate in banning events like rallies in case the COVID-19 recommendations issued by it final year are not followed appropriately.