Shivani Gadhavi
Published On: February 16, 2022 at 15:48 IST
The Calcutta High Court directed the State Election Commission and the West Bengal State Government to give response by filing Affidavits regarding the violence that erupted during the Municipality Elections.
A Calcutta High Court Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Rajarshi Bharadwaj was hearing several Petitions filed pertaining to the violence that took place during the Municipality Elections of Siliguri, Asansol, Bidhannagar and Chandernagore on February 12, 2022.
The Counsel for the one Petitioner, Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar stated that appropriate Orders from the High Court are needed in regards with the 108 upcoming Elections that are yet to be conducted. The Advocate submitted that by the Order of the High Court, Central Forces should be deployed, CCTV surveillance should be provided and a verification system for identity should be placed during the upcoming Elections.
The Senior Advocate also quoted from an earlier Order of the Calcutta High Court that, “It cannot be disputed that free and fair Election is the backbone of Democracy. The forthcoming Kolkata Municipal Corporation Election must be held in a transparent manner in such an atmosphere where voters can vote without fear.”
Another Advocate for one of the Petitioners submitted that the Petitioner was physically Assaulted by a member of the ruling party during the Elections on February 12, 2022 and that
prayed for police protection for the Petitioner, which was granted by the High Court.
The Division Bench in light of all the facts and arguments, ordered the State Election Commission and State Government to file their respective Affidavits, wherein their responses regarding the Petitions would be given. The matter is listed for February 21, 2022.