[Marxistindia] Memo to ECI

[news from the cpi(m)]

CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Sitaram Yechury and S. Ramachandran Pillai,
met the Chief Election Commissioner today and expressed their displeasure
over the failure of the ECI to respond adequately to the widespread
violence and mayhem witnessed during the last phase of polling in West
Bengal today. Terming it as “unfortunate”, they said that “the Election
Commission and its apparatus” remained “mute spectators watching this
mockery of democracy”.  They charged the ECI of remaining a “helpless
bystander” and not discharging its Constitutional mandate of conducting  a
free and fair election.

The delegation provided information available till 3.00 p.m regarding 465
polling booths in 14 parliamentary constituencies which were rocked by
violence, booth capturing, rigging, intimidation of voters and driving out
polling agents of parties opposed to the ruling TMC.  Subsequently,
reports also came in of around 350 other booths were polling was rigged.

The Party has demanded re-polling in over 800 booths with “adequate
arrangements for protection of the voters which includes the deployment of
central forces, video surveillance of the booths, strict instructions to
the concerned officials to take prompt action against those disrupting the
conduct of free and fair elections, amongst others.”

The full text of the memorandum submitted to the ECI is given below:

****



May 12, 2014

The Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Please find enclosed the list of polling booths in various parliamentary
constituencies that went to polls today in the state of West Bengal.  The
polling agents of all opposition parties have been driven out by the
ruling party in the state, Trinamool Congress, from all these booths.

The central paramilitary forces  are remaining as mere onlookers while
armed Trinamool Congress goons are on a rampage.  So far, 22 CPI(M)
workers have been critically injured and are in hospitals.  At least four
of these are being treated for bullet injuries.  Fire arms are being
freely used without any restriction by the law and order forces in the
state.

It is, indeed, unfortunate that the Election Commission and its apparatus
are remaining mute spectators watching this mockery of democracy.  Far
from discharging its Constitutional mandate of conducting  a free and fair
election, the EC apparatus remains a helpless bystander.

We demand an immediate intervention to restore the conduct of a free and
fair poll. Since the time for polling is nearing its end, we have no
option but to demand the holding of re-polling in all these booths with
adequate arrangements for protection of the voters which includes the
deployment of central forces, video surveillance of the booths, strict
instructions to the concerned officials to take prompt action against
those disrupting the conduct of free and fair elections, amongst others.

At least in this last phase of the elections, we expect the EC to take the
necessary  steps with decisiveness that has not been forthcoming so far.

Along with this letter we are giving you information regarding 465 polling
booths in 14 parliamentary constituencies which we have received till 3
p.m. this afternoon.  The information pouring in subsequently is contained
in the attached letters from West Bengal.  Copies of all information
contained in this letter and the attachments have been sent to you
directly and also given to the CEO and Special Observer, West Bengal.

12 Krishnagar PC

79 Palashipara AC:

AITC activists captured booths, threatened CPI(M) supporters and prevented
voters to cast their votes in booth Nos. 220, 221 (2 booths).

82 Chapra AC:

AITC supporters threatened voters with weapons like fire arms, bombs,
lathis to cast vote in favour of them and driven out CPI(M) polling agents
in booth Nos. 26, 27, 28, 29 (4 booths).

79 Palashipara AC:
AITC supporters threatened voters with weapons like fire arms, bombs,
lathis to cast vote in favour of them in booth Nos. 220, 221, 242 (3
booths).

13 Ranaghat (SC) PC

87 Ranaghat Uttar Paschim AC:
Voters were obstructed and threatened by the AITC in booth Nos. 128, 129
(2 booths).

AITC supporters threatened voters with weapons like fire arms, bombs,
lathis to cast vote in favour of them and driven out CPI(M) polling agents
in booth No. 35 (1 booth).

89 Ranaghat North-East AC:

AITC supporters threatened voters with weapons like fire arms, bombs,
lathis to cast vote in favour of them and driven out CPI(M) polling agents
in booth Nos. 53, 54, 61, 73, 74, 75, 76 (7 booths).

AITC activists stand in front of EVM and threatened voters to cast their
votes in favour of AITC in booth Nos. 74, 75.

90 AC:
Voter assaulted grievously by AITC activists in booth No. 29 9 (1 booth).

14 Bongaon (SC) PC

92 Kalyana AC
AITC supporters threatened voters with weapons like fire arms, bombs,
lathis to cast vote in favour of them and driven out CPI(M) polling agents
in booth Nos. 110, 113, 117, 118, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137,
138, 154, 157, 173, 212, 214, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 225, 226,
 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249  (37 booths).

Voters were obstructed and threatened by the AITC in booth Nos. 54, 55,
59, 60, 62, 63, 69, 116, 121, 122, 139, 145, 146, 147, 156, 157, 172, 174,
175, 268 (20 booths).

15 Barrackpur PC

103 Bijpur & 104 Naihati AC: Most of the booths were captured by AITC
activists and common voters were not allowed to stand in queue and EVM
were fully controlled by the AITC activists, specially in Majhipara.

105 Bhatpara AC:
Polling agents and voters of CPI(M) were driven out from booth No. 44. (1
booth)

107 Noapara AC: Jammed polling booths and CPI(M) polling agents were
driven out from booth Nos, 47, 50 (2 booths).
Booths captured, common voters not allowed to stand in the queue, CPI(M)
polling agents were driven out and EVM fully controlled by the AITC
workers in polling station Nos. 3, 15, 16, 17 (4 booths)


17 Barasat PC

118 Madhyamgram AC:
The following booths were captured by AITC activists: 251, 252, 253, 254,
255, 258, 259, 260, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268 (14 booths)

18 Basirhat PC

121 Haroa AC:
Polling agents of CPI(M) were forcibly driven out by the AITC activists
from booth Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 62, 74, 75,
76, 77, 79 (17 booths).
Presiding officer not allowed CPI(M) polling agents to enter into polling
station in booth Nos. 21 and 22 (2 booths).

122 Minakha (SC) AC:
Polling agents of CPI(M) were forcibly driven out by the AITC activists
from booth Nos. 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 47, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 79,
80, 81, 82 (36 booths).

19 Joynagar PC

139 Canning (Purba) AC:
AITC activists captured the booths, created violence and beaten Left
polling agents and forced to leave the booth Nos. 81, 82, 86, 90, 91, 115,
135, 136, 137, 152, 153, 156, 157, 160, 161, 174, 185, 191, 211, 212, 213,
217, 218, 221, 226, 227, 229, 230, 236, 237, 238 (31 booths).

20 Mathurapur (SC) PC

131 Kakdwip AC: Polling agents of CPI(M) were forcibly driven out by the
AITC activists from booth Nos. 9, 12, 31, 32 (4 booths).

TMC activists attacked the voters in booth Nos. 20, 29, 30 (3 booths).

False votes were given by AITC activists in booth No. 7, 25, 26, , 46, 54
(5 booths)

135 Madirbazaar (SC) AC:  CPI(M) polling agents were driven out and booth
Nos. 119, 120, 121 were captured by AITC activists (3 booths).

21 Diamond Harbour PC

The following booths were captured and rigged.  Polling agents were driven
out forcefully and prevented from entering booths.  Voters were not
allowed to vote. Three of CPI(M) workers were hospitalized.

Metiabruj AC:  168, 169 (2 booths)

Bishnupur AC: 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,
109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134,
135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140 (34 booths).

Falta AC:  208 (1 booth)

Diamond Harbour AC: 162, 163, 164 (3 booths)

22 Jadavpur PC

146 Pukur Aithi AC: Polling agent of CPI(M) were driven out by AITC
activists in booth No. 35 (1 booth).

148 AC: Polling agents of CPI(M) and voters were obstructed and assaulted
by AITC activists in booth No. 27, 59, 60 (3 booths).

23 Kolkata Dakshin PC

149 Kasba AC :  Presiding Officers not entertained the CPI(M) polling
agents in  booth Nos. 28, 29, 47, 54 (4 booths).



153 Behala Purba AC: Polling agents of CPI(M) were forcibly driven out by
the AITC activists in the following booths: 247-250, 287-300 (17 booths).

161 Ballygunge AC: Polling agents of CPI(M) were threatened by AITC
activists and as a result no CPI(M) polling agents in booth Nos. 66, 70 (2
booths)

MIC of KMC forcefully entered and claimed election agent of AITC in booth
Nos 268, 269, 270, 271, 274, 282, 283, 285, 286 (9 booths)

24 Kolkata-Uttar PC

164 Beleghata AC: CPI(M) polling agents were driven out  and false vote
done by AITC activists in the following booths: 133, 159, 160, 164, 165,
166, 167, 169, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182,
183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197,
198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214,
215, 216, 217, 218, 266, 270,  294, 295 (58 booths).

166 Shyampukur AC: Difference in numbers in 100 between total votes polled
and the number recorded in the EVM.

Cossipore-Belgachia AC: Sector in-charge acted impartially.

Beliaghata AC: Polling agents of CPI(M) were forcibly driven out by AITC
activists and obstructed the voters to cast their votes in booth No. 34,
35 (2 booths).

CPI(M) polling agents not allowed in polling booths and attacked by the
AITC activists in booth Nos. 55, 57, 60, 64, 67, 69, 71, 72, 73, 75 (10
booths).

31, Kanthi PC

In the ballot unit of few EVMs, name of a particular candidate is
undermarked with green line.




32 Ghatal PC

226 Sabong AC:

CPI(M) polling agents assaulted and driven out from booth Nos. 229, 230,
232 (3 booths).

Booths captured by the AITC activists, voters attacked and driven out and
false votes have been given in the EVM in booth Nos. 69, 157, 169, 245,
246, 247 (6 booths)

227 Pingla AC:

Booths captured by the AITC activists, voters attacked and driven out and
false votes have been given in the EVM in booth Nos. 184, 190, 191, 199,
209, 211, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240,
248 (20 booths).

CPI(M) polling agents assaulted and driven out from booth No. 184 (1 booth).

231 Ghatal AC:

Polling agents of CPI(M) were forcibly driven out by the AITC activists
from booth No. 157, 244, 245, 247, 269, 289, 290 (7 booths).

Polling agents of CPI(M) prevented from entering into polling booths by
the AITC activists in booth Nos. 162, 163, 167, 168, 239, 288, 289, 290,
317 (9 booths).

Booths captured by the AITC activists, voters attacked and driven out and
false votes have been given in the EVM in booth Nos. 16, 157, 162, 163,
167, 168, 195, 239, 241, 242, 244, 245, 247, 288, 289, 290, 317, (17
booths)


235 Keshpur AC:

Booths captured by the AITC activists, voters attacked and driven out and
false votes have been given in the EVM in booth Nos. 11, 12, 14, 15, 19,
21, 23, 27, 33, 35, 36, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,
63, 64, 69, 77, 78, 104, 113, 137, 164, 165, 169, 170, 171, 172, 175, 177,
178, 179, 195, 200, 203, 204, 217, 250, 222, 224, 225, 230, 231, 233, 250,
262, 266, 270,  (57 booths).



		With regards,

Yours sincerely



(S. Ramachandran Pillai)				        (Sitaram Yechury)
Member, Polit Bureau					Member, Polit Bureau