Be absolutely impartial, transparent and accessible to all parties equally and ensure level playing field and zero tolerance to any violence, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told West Bengal bureaucracy on Tuesday ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
"There is no scope for any kind intimidation/ threat to voters and candidates. Ensure transparency in giving permissions for grounds, meeting places- First In First Out Principle," Kumar said.
Rajiv Kumar said strict instructions have been issued to the bureaucrats to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and asserted that any form of violence will not be tolerated during the upcoming elections, likely to start from April.
The CEC, while addressing a press conference in Kolkata, said the goal of the Election Commission is to ensure free, fair and violence-free elections in the state.
"There is no place for fear or intimidation in elections. Any partisan approach to the bureaucracy will not be tolerated; we have made this clear. There is absolutely no tolerance for any form of violence in this celebration of democracy," he said.
The District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been directed to be absolutely impartial, transparent and accessible to all parties equally and ensure level playing field.
Kumar said a sufficient number of central forces will be deployed in West Bengal, and it will be done in an “impartial manner”.
"ECI stands steadfast in its resolve to ensure that elections happen in a festive atmosphere free of fear , violence and intimidation. We urge all voters to step out and take part in the democratic festivities," a statement from the EC said.
The CEC said that the total electorate in the state stands at 7.58 crore, comprising approximately 3.85 crore male and 3.73 crore female voters, with around 15.25 lakh being first-time voters.
Speaking on the deployment of central forces, he affirmed, "An adequate number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed in the state in advance for confidence-building measures."
Kumar stressed the necessity for various agencies of both the state and central government, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), to work in a coordinated manner rather than in isolation to ensure inducement-free elections.
The full bench of the Election Commission (EC) was in Kolkata for the last two days holding meetings with representatives of political parties, and would later meet government officials to discuss preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal.