September 23, 2026 09:45 pm (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
ECI breaks silence on SIR row: Poll body says all decisions were ‘unanimous’ despite differences | Gyanesh Kumar under fire: Opposition seeks CEC’s removal as SIR row explodes over report of 14 internal ECI objections | SIR row explodes: Report claims 14 objections by 2 Election Commissioners; Opposition demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal | IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla sent on leave amid Sahil Wakode death controversy: Report | Narendra Modi's Canada visit confirmed: Carney eyes trade deal by year-end | 'When we win, we're tearing this down': MAGA activist's threat to 90-foot Hanuman statue in US sparks backlash | Delhi women's safety under spotlight: 17-year-old allegedly gang-raped near Kalkaji Mandir in fourth such incident in 10 days | India gets fresh push for permanent UNSC seat as 4 European nations back bid | IIT Bombay professor gets faculty backing after student death controversy; protests intensify over suspension | IIT Bombay protests erupt after student’s death; authorities meet students over 18 demands

CPI-M urges ECI to provide security for counting agents

| | May 16, 2014, at 01:40 am
Kolkata, May 15 (IBNS): Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls result, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Thursday demanded that the Election Commission of India take "necessary measures and make proper preparations to ensure that the democratic verdict of the people is not manipulated further at the stage of the counting of votes" in West Bengal.
In a letter addressed to the Commission by Polit Bureau Member Sitaram Yechury, the party has suggested among other things provision of adequate security for the counting agents of all parties.  
 
The party has expressed the apprehension that the widespread violence and intimidation witnessed during the last phase of polling in West Bengal will find reflection during the counting process also. 
 
"In view of such apprehensions, we are suggesting that the EC should display utmost vigilance, provide adequate security for the counting agents of all parties and other such measures.  These are outlined in the enclosed letters from the Chairman of the Left Front Committee of West Bengal, which have already been sent to you directly. The same concerns have been raised with the CEO, West Bengal and  the Special Observer," Yechury said in his letter.
 
"From many counting centres in the state, such apprehensions are pouring in seeking proper security arrangements during the counting process.  Similarly, instances of how efforts are being made to prepare from manipulating the counting process are also pouring in from many centres. There are reports that EVMs are not properly protected and in some instances, no elections official has been assigned duty to remain at the centre during the night, " the letter said.
 
"There are also reports that the identity cards of counting agents from the opposition parties have been forcibly acquired by the ruling party, so that they can prevent the counting agents of opposition parties from being present and hence facilitate the manipulation of the counting.  These are based on verified reports. Therefore, we are urging the EC not to dismiss such apprehensions as mere allegations," Yechury urged.
 
Earlier, the party has submitted a memorandum on violence against women in West Bengal in the 9th phase of parliamentary elections that was held on May 12.
 

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.