Biman Basu Writes to the CEC About Poll Violence in West Bengal

Following the Text complaint by Biman Basu, Secretary, West Bengal state committee of CPI(M) to The Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

This is to draw your attention to the situation obtaining in the Nandigram area of 210 Nandigram AC under 30 Tamluk PC in West Bengal. There have been widespread violence under Gram Panchayat areas of Sonachura, Kendurmari, Mohanpur, Boyal – II, Gopalpur.

It is very unfortunate that this has happened despite our prior information on 26.04.09 to the CEO, West Bengal (copy attached). In 42 polling booths, CPI(M) polling agents have not been forcibly allowed to enter the designated booths and the CPI(M) candidate of the constituency Shri Lalxman Seth has already demanded repelling in 50 polling booths (copy attached). Report of escalation of violence in 12 more polling station areas leadding to deadly injuries inflicted on several other CPI(M) workers have just received. I have earlier written to CEO, WB on 29.03.09 seeking his intervention to ensure return of the voters forcefully driven out of the area. Sri Kanu Sahu, secretary, Purba Medinipur district committee of our party had also written to CEO in several occasions explaining the pre-poll situation in 50 polling stations in this constituency and requesting his intervention to ensure free and fair election in this area. There have been also reports on attack on media persons and a BJP MP couple of days back in the Sonachura area.

We would like to request you to urgently intervene and order the repolling to rectify the situation where clearly free and fair election has been completely undermined.

Thanking you,

With regards

Following is the complaint by Lakshman Seth Contesting Left Front candidate for 30 Tamluk PC letter to Chief Election Commissioner.

Sir,

Sub: Capture of booths of 210 Nandigram AC under 30 Tamluk PC by Trinamool Congress.

With grave concern I like to draw your kind attention to the above noted matter.

Today from the early morning Trinamool Congress led rowdies have captured the following booths with arms. Our polling agents have been unable to enter into polling stations due to their threats. Many polling agents have been forced to leave polling stations. Trinamool Congress rowdies have broken up covered area of polling stations. They are pressing button openly in the symbol of Trinmool Congress.

Therefore it is apprehended that there will be false voting. It is also reported that Trinamool Congress is forcing voters under arms to cast their vote in favour of Trinamool Congress by capturing polling stations. Presiding officers and polling staff are forced them to remain silent.

Under the above circumstances, there will be no free and fair election.

I therefore demand re-polling in the following booths.

List booths:-

45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 160, 160-A, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 165-A, 166, 167, 168, 168-A, 169, 171, 171-A, 172, 172-A, 174, 175, 175-A, 176, 176-A, 177, 177-A, 178, 180, 182, 183, 191, 191-A, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 198-A.