Malda DM seeks permission for repoll

Statesman News Service

MALDA, May 19: The Malda district magistrate Mr CR Das today sought permission from the state election commission for repolling in 12 polling stations in northern part of Malda district where polling procedure was violated due to major violence and clash between political parties since last afternoon. “We have decided to conduct re-poll in 12 polling stations where election was halted due to exchange of bombs , ballots were snatched , the polling personnel left the polling booth fearing attacks, polling process was halted”, said the Malda DM. “We have received several complaints from political parties but we have selected 12 polling stations based on the report of the presiding officers , local magistrates , sub-divisional officers and other senior officials’ reports including the observers appointed by the state election commission”, he said. “We are waiting for the approval of the state election commission and preparing to conduct repolling amid tight security tomorrow at six polling stations in Ratua II block, at four booths in Ratua-I, at one booth in Harischandrapur-I and another one was selected in Harischandrapur -II”, the Malda D M said. The district magistrate disclosed: “Though classically the security arrangement was enough (two armed forces at each polling premises) but due to inadequate security forces polling procedure was violated in 12 polling stations”. The district CPI (M) secretary Mr. Jiban Moitra said: “Inadequate police force could not combat the situation due to lack of coordination to mobilize central reserve forces on time.. Many reserve forces were sitting idle in the headquarters. But in the sub-divisional headquarters in northern part there was no state police official, the particular officer was in another spot, who can guide central forces”. It may be noted that the Congress demanded repolling at five polling stations at Ratua II block area. It demanded repolling in 12 booths. The CPI (M) and F B demanded re-poll in 20 booths.The district magistrate said the polling completed at dawn today in some polling stations and the last polling team arrived at 11 am today in their respective block head quarters.