Bengal polls
Hold remaining phases of election in one go: Mamata Banerjee to Election Commission
Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to club the remaining phases of polling dates and consider conducting them in one go.
In a tweet, Banerjee wrote: "Amid an ongoing pandemic, we firmly opposed ECISVEEP's decision to conduct WB polls in 8 phases. Now, in view of the huge surge in #COVID19 cases, I urge the ECI to consider holding the remaining phases in ONE go. This will protect the people from further exposure to #COVID19."
Amid an ongoing pandemic, we firmly opposed @ECISVEEP's decision to conduct WB polls in 8 phases.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 15, 2021
Now, in view of the huge surge in #COVID19 cases, I urge the ECI to consider holding the remaining phases in ONE go. This will protect the people from further exposure to #COVID19.
Bengal is one state where four phases of elections are due to be held while in other states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, the polling process has ended.
However, the Election Commission earlier in the day ruled out the idea of clubbing the remaining phases of elections in Bengal.
The Election Commission has rather called a meeting of all political parties in West Bengal on Friday to discuss the matters of campaign as Covid cases have surged.
Earlier Senior Trinamool leaders have accused the Election Commission of drawing out the elections over an unprecedented eight phases.
"It is certainly criminal negligence bordering on manslaughter on part of @ECISVEEP to mandate 8 phase election in WB in middle of worst pandemic. Unbelievable that we are being put through this. Infections, deaths rising everyday," tweeted party MP Mahua Moitra.
It is certainly criminal negligence bordering on manslaughter on part of @ECISVEEP to mandate 8 phase election in WB in middle of worst pandemic.
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) April 15, 2021
Unbelievable that we are being put through this. Infections, deaths rising everyday.
Bengal is due to poll for the fifth phase of the Assembly election on Apr 17.
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