LS polls: ECI’s 3 layers of the ‘early action formula’
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will adopt an ‘early action formula’ in the forthcoming four phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal to ensure peaceful and fair elections.
The ‘early action formula’ strategy will be multi-pronged, according to a source in the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)’s office.
“This exercise will be a kind of caution for potential troublemakers that stricter punitive measures will follow in the case of habitual offenders,” the source said.
Steps ECI plans
- The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will not allow unnecessary assembly of supporters of political parties within a specific area in the radius of the polling stations, from the very first hour of the commencement of polling.
- Right from the very first hour once polling begins, constant monitoring of identified “influential” local politicians so that they are unable to assemble for extended periods with their associates near polling stations, as it might result in altercations and tension in the area.
- Third, habitual offenders who do not take the first warning seriously will be detained for the day and will be released just an hour before the closing time of polling so that they are able to cast their votes.
As per legal provisions such preventive detentions up to 24 hours are allowed.
Insiders in the CEO’s office said that these three layers of the ‘early action formula’ were in place to a limited extent in the third phase of the elections on May 7, considering that two traditionally troubled constituencies of Jangipur and Murshidabad went to polls on that day.
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