The Calcutta High Court has delivered a significant blow to the Mamata Banerjee government by directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to requisition over 82,000 central forces personnel within 24 hours for deployment in the upcoming panchayat elections in West Bengal. This directive comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's recent affirmation of the High Court's order to deploy central forces during the elections.
The court emphasized that the number of central forces deployed must exceed those deployed in the 2013 panchayat elections, underscoring the need for heightened security measures. Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam reprimanded the state election commissioner, stating that if he cannot handle the pressure, he should step down and allow someone else to assume the position.
Expressing surprise at the absence of commission officers during the hearing, the Chief Justice remarked on the commission's priorities. The court warned that it would pass necessary orders if the commission failed to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.
The SEC informed the court that it had already requisitioned six companies of central forces for the elections on July 8. Additionally, the SEC's counsel assured the court that requests for an appropriate number of central forces, as determined by the court, would be expeditiously sent to the central government. The court cautioned against any attempt to undermine the implementation of the order, highlighting the potential adverse consequences.
The Supreme Court also criticized the State Election Commission and emphasized that conducting elections should not serve as an excuse for violence. It reiterated the commission's responsibility to ensure free and fair elections. The Supreme Court dismissed the petitions filed by the Bengal government and the poll body, affirming that the deployment of central forces was warranted and valid.
With nearly 75,000 seats in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system up for polling on July 8, and approximately 61,000 polling booths established, the requisitioning of an adequate number of central forces has become imperative. The Calcutta High Court's directive seeks to address the increased number of districts and electorate since the 2013 elections, ensuring robust security measures to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
The court's observations regarding the State Election Commission's compliance with the order raise concerns about its independence and prompt decision-making. The SEC has been urged to swiftly requisition the required central forces, taking into account the court's directives. Failure to adhere to the order may result in serious consequences. The SEC has pledged to abide by the court's instructions, and the central government is expected to respond promptly to the requisition requests.
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