[Marxistindia] Irregularities in Diamond Harbour polling - letter of Sitaram Yechury to ECI

[news from the cpi(m)]

May 21, 2019
 
Press Release
 
Shri Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of Communist Party of India
(Marxist) has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, Election
Commission of India today on the irregularities in the polling for
21-Diamond Harbour Parliamentary Constituency in West Bengal.  
 
We are releasing the text of the letter for publication.
 
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Dear Shri Aroraji,
 
I am writing to you with regard to the reports of large-scale irregularities
in the poll conducted on May 19 in 21-Diamond Harbour Parliamentary
Constituency in West Bengal.  Enclosed (Annexure - 1) is a letter submitted
by the CPI(M) candidate  for the constituency Dr. Fuad Halim to the
Returning Officer, 21 Diamond Harbour PC, which  details the large-scale
rigging that was indulged in.
 
The scale of irregularities are such  that the Election Commission of India,
true to the spirit of Article 324 of the Constitution which was invoked by
the ECI earlier  for preponing the beginning of the silence period, the ECI
must ensure "free and fair" elections by ordering a re-polling in the entire
constituency.
 
Further, a highly irregular incident occurred on May 20, 2019.  The
Returning Officer of 21-Diamond Harbour PC, through a Memo No.
129(10)/1(8)/RO-21PC/2019 convened a meeting for scrutiny of those polling
booths whose scrutiny was not taken up earlier.  When Dr. Fuad Halim himself
went to attend the meeting, he was informed that some participants objected
and hence the meeting has been cancelled.  Since the meeting was convened
through a written Memo, a similar written direction cancelling the meeting
was demanded.  In the latter, there is a mention that the general observer
present asked for written directions of the Chief Electoral Officer and,
strangely, since it was not available, the RO cancelled the meeting and in a
written direction informed that the earlier Memo has been  rescinded [No.
130(10)/RO-21PC/2019  dated 20.05.2019].
 
Both the first Memo calling for the meeting and the second Memo rescinding
the first Memo are enclosed  for your quick reference.  (Annexures II &
III).
 
It has been learnt that the objections to the holding of such a meeting came
from both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.  Strangely, the Central
leadership of the BJP has approached you and petitioned that there should be
a re-polling in the entire 21-Diamond Harbour PC.  
 
It is clear that the state unit of the BJP has entered into an understanding
with the TMC for latter's support for its candidates in certain other
constituencies like Mathurapur, Jadavpur etc, in return for the BJP's
support to the TMC candidate for Diamond Harbour  PC, who happens to be the
nephew of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal.
 
These political matters need not concern you.  However, I am beseeching you
to look into the large-scale brazen irregularities which are clearly
detailed in Dr. Fuad Halim's letter and cancelling the poll of May 19 and
order a re-polling in the constituency.
 
Hoping to see a positive response.
 
Thanking you,
 
With regards,
Yours sincerely
 
Sd/-
(Sitaram Yechury)
General Secretary
 
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