Two more phases of polling is left on April 30 and May 5.
Amid reports of post-poll violence in some areas of West Bengal, the Election Commission on Thursday directed the state chief secretary and DGP to take strict action in all such cases.
"All matters pertaining to law and order are being pursued with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, West Bengal, and the commission has directed to take time-bound follow-up action on FIR lodged in these cases and legal action be taken," the poll panel said.
The Commission has further directed to take strict action in all cases of post-poll violence. It assured voters that they will not hesitate to respond to violence of any sort, anywhere and anytime and take appropriate legal action irrespective of their political affiliation. It reiterated that the entire election machinery including police authorities shall curb violence at all cost and ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in all the polling stations and areas falling under Assembly constituencies in the last two phases on April 30 and May 5.
The EC has once again directed the district magistrates, SP, Commissioner of police and the leadership of central and state police especially to keep a strict watch on the law and order situation and ensure that even the last member of the weaker sections feels confident enough to come out of his dwelling and go to polling booth to vote freely.
The poll watchdog also directed that the culprits causing intimidation, creating fear or causing harm to citizens must be brought to book on top priority unhesitatingly.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC would be promulgated on poll day and enforced strictly to ensure that any unlawful assembly is effectively curbed, the commission said.
Further, the commission has ordered night patrolling by quick response teams of central paramilitary forces for quick reaction in the night. It said that the number of 'Nakas' have been increased significantly to effectively seal the inter district and international borders.
The commission has issued strict directions for stringent action against outsiders and bikers. Movement of bikers be checked intensively and extensively and appropriate action will be taken against violators.
BSF has been further directed to step up surveillance at the international border in the last 48 hours. To check access of anti-social elements through riverine route, adequate deployment of riverine police with search lights and effective communication system has been pressed into action.
The commission said anti-social elements who have been identified are under strict watch of police authorities and will not be allowed to intimidate voters or polling agents. Harshest legal action will be taken against them.
All the clubs where likelihood of outsiders assembling and intimidating the voters are identified and they have been brought under strict vigilance including vigil during night time. Activities of anti-social elements who are in jail either under trials or serving imprisonment are under strict watch and will not be allowed access to outside anti-social elements and carry out nefarious activities.
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