ElectionCommission – Protests Erupt as ECI Officials Reach Kolkata for Poll Review
ElectionCommission – The full bench of the Election Commission of India arrived in Kolkata on Sunday evening to begin a review of preparations for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The visit, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, drew protests outside the airport and later near the officials’ place of stay, with demonstrators raising slogans opposing a recent voter verification decision.
Officials Received by State Administration
Senior officials from the West Bengal government welcomed the Election Commission delegation upon arrival at Kolkata airport. State Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal were present to receive the visiting officials.
The Election Commission team is in the state for a two-day visit aimed at evaluating administrative readiness for the Assembly elections expected later this year. During this period, the commission plans to hold discussions with several departments involved in the election process.
Demonstrations Over Voter Status Decision
Shortly after the delegation landed, groups associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress as well as members of the opposition CPI-M staged protests and shouted slogans directed at the Chief Election Commissioner.
The demonstrations were triggered by the commission’s recent move to classify nearly six million voters as “under adjudication.” These voters are currently awaiting verification from judicial officers before their eligibility to vote can be confirmed for the forthcoming elections.
Protesters carrying placards and black flags expressed concern over the decision, saying it could affect voter participation if the cases are not resolved in time. Demonstrations also continued outside a hotel in the New Town area where the Election Commission officials are staying during their visit.
Review of Election Preparedness
According to election officials, the primary purpose of the visit is to assess the state’s preparedness for conducting the Assembly polls smoothly. The commission will review arrangements related to polling stations, voter lists, security planning, and administrative coordination.
Officials from the state administration, police, and election departments are expected to brief the commission on the progress made so far. The Election Commission typically conducts such visits before major elections to ensure logistical readiness and compliance with election rules.
An official associated with the review process said the commission would interact with officers at multiple levels of the administration. These interactions help the central poll body identify operational challenges and make necessary adjustments before the announcement of the election schedule.
Possible Announcement of Poll Schedule
Sources in the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer indicated that the election schedule for several states and union territories could be announced soon. West Bengal is among the regions where Assembly elections are due.
While the exact timeline has not yet been confirmed, officials suggested that the announcement may come in the second week of March. Once the schedule is declared, the Model Code of Conduct will take effect, regulating political campaigning and government activities during the election period.
Meetings Planned With District Officials
As part of the review process, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal is expected to meet district magistrates and election officers later in the day. These meetings will focus on ground-level preparedness, including the availability of polling personnel, equipment, and voter awareness initiatives.
District authorities play a crucial role in implementing election procedures, managing polling stations, and ensuring that the voting process is conducted peacefully and transparently.
The Election Commission’s ongoing review in West Bengal comes at a critical time as political activity in the state intensifies ahead of the upcoming polls. The findings from the visit are expected to guide further administrative preparations in the weeks leading up to the official election announcement.