The Election Commission of India (EC) has given a stern warning to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and has given an emphatic statement that the coming assembly elections in West Bengal should be free and fair. The poll body also underlined that there should be no fear, violence, intimidation and inducement in the elections and this meant that it would be tough on ensuring that law and order prevailed during the election process.
The EC in a strongly worded message emphasized its zero-tolerance towards illegal practices like booth capturing, booth jamming and source jamming which is hindrance to voter mobilisation or access to polling. The Commission released a statement to the public that emphasized that it aimed at having a peaceful and transparent election environment, as any breach would attract stern action.
The violence in elections has a long history in West Bengal in the last twenty years and many cases of conflicts, injuries, and deaths have already been reported during campaigns and elections. The 2021 Assembly elections, especially, were also characterized by high levels of unrest with reports showing that there were more than 1,300 cases of violence, several deaths, and thousands of complaints of intimidation and misconduct.
The recent directive of the EC shows the increasing concerns on the upholding of the democratic integrity within the state. The Commission tries to convey a strong message to the ruling party by warning it directly that it will not tolerate any interference with the electoral process. The government is supposed to increase on the security measures and checks that are in place in order to have peaceful polling in the state.