Dhankhar questions the decision of SEC to hold KMC elections with state force

Kolkata, December 7, : .

In a direct challenge to the decision of the State Election Commission (SEC), to send state police forces for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections (KMC) scheduled for December 19, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dakhar said that the central force could conduct the election independently.

The security plan was also sent to us.We insist that there is armed personnel at all locations and in every sector.We were also told by the state that they have sufficient force and resources to conduct free, fair elections.

Keep the Honourable Gove informed, as I cannot do it personally due to my involvement in the conducting of the elections.

He wrote that "the premise that the state, upon our query, also indicated that it had adequate force to guarantee free and fair elections and the resources necessary' doesn't seem to hold water, considering the highly politicised bureaucracy.It was essential that SEC accord attention without regard to this.

KMC has the same importance as any other election and all opposition parties demand CAPF deployment.

CAPF deployments are always present in Lok Sabha, Assembly and by-elections.The CAPF deployment does not occur because the states lack sufficient force and resources to guarantee free and fair elections.

This consideration is not relevant to the CAPF deployment.SEC seems to have overlooked this important aspect.

This is a serious issue that cannot be dealt with in a superficial or inadaisical manner, leading to SEC being criticized for its lack of independence.

Given the importance of CAPF deployment, the SEC might be asked to expedite the matter.This will ensure fair and free elections.

In light of the Supreme Court's judgment, he should also indicate the steps taken to use VVPAT-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail during the forthcoming elections.