Calcutta HC raps Bengal Election Commissioner, ‘…can quit’

West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023: In view of the panchayat elections in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday (June 21) once again directed the State Election Commission to increase the strength of central paramilitary forces. Voting will be held in the state on July 8 for the three-tier panchayat elections in a single phase.

The court said that the proposed strength of central paramilitary forces should be increased within 24 hours to supervise the conduct of panchayat elections. The court even said that if the Election Commissioner cannot implement the orders, he can leave the post.

The present number of paramilitary forces deployed for monitoring the panchayat elections is about 1700, considering it insufficient, the court has ordered to increase the number.

What did the Calcutta High Court say on the matter?

A bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Uday Kumar also said that prima facie it appears that the State Election Commission has deliberately not fully complied with the earlier orders despite being upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to the Bar and Bench report, the Chief Justice said, “Should we doubt the independence of the State Election Commission? It should not happen. To be honest, you have gone to the top court, the court has given instructions… accept the decision justly. Do what is necessary, we should not cross the line… If it is too difficult for the (Election) Commissioner to take orders, he can step down. His Excellency the Governor can appoint someone else because it is a very important post. The court has fixed the next hearing of the case on Friday.

SC dismissed the petition of the state government and SEC

Let us tell you that on Tuesday (June 20), the Supreme Court had dismissed the petitions of the state government and the SEC challenging the order of the Calcutta High Court. The apex court had said that no interference is required in the order of the High Court. The Supreme Court had said that there cannot be violence with elections.

On June 15, the Calcutta High Court directed the State Election Commission to requisition and deploy central forces within 48 hours across West Bengal for panchayat elections.

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