By IANS,
Kolkata : The West Bengal Congress leaders Thursday demanded that the Election Commission deploy paramilitary forces at all polling booths in the state during the Lok Sabha elections.
“I’ve submitted a letter with certain demands like deployment of paramilitary forces and flag marches by them to (Chief Election Commissioner) N. Gopalaswami Thursday,” Congress legislature party (CLP) leader Manas Bhuniya told reporters after his meeting with the CEC.
“We have demanded deployment of paramilitary forces at all election booths, and also that the forces will be under the control of central observers, instead of state observers like district magistrates and police superintendents,” Bhuniya said.
The Congress leader said the party has also demanded that the flag marches be carried out four days before the election dates in all the poll-bound areas.
“Besides, the Election Commission should keep an eye on the opposition parties and some state government officers who may interrupt fair polls. Extra vigilance is required at border districts to stop issuance of fake election identity cards,” Bhuniya said.
He said Gopalaswami has assured the party that all demands would be considered and every possible step taken to ensure peaceful polls.
The Lok Sabha elections are slated in West Bengal April 30, May 7 and May 13.