CCTV cameras installed at polling booths and auxiliary booths for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation election were allegedly blocked by goons who were seen pasting stickers on them. The BJP has accused TMC workers of blocking the cameras.
"TMC goons are pasting stickers on the CCTV cameras put in booths in Kolkata Municipal Elections as per the order by the Court," Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, BJP MP and West Bengal state president said in tweet.
He also asked state election commission to take strict action against the culprits in order to ensure a free and fair election.
On 14 December 2021 Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal State Election Commission to ensure CCTV surveillance at all polling booths and auxiliary booths for Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections on 19 December. The SEC said it would comply and they have installed CCTV cameras.
In-charge of BJP's National I & T Department, Amit Malviya, said in Tweet, "The court ordered CCTV cameras to be put in all polling booths for the KMC election. But TMC goons have pasted stickers on them. What is the WB State Election Commission doing to stop this malpractice and consequent attempt to rig polls? This is gross violation of court order."
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed that state police forces will provide security for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections on December 19, rejecting a prayer by the Bengal BJP for deployment of central forces.
The division bench of Calcutta High Court on Friday dismissed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) plea against a single-bench order seeking the deployment of central forces during Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) polls, reported Live Law.
"So far, no instance of violence has been pointed out nor along with the writ petition, any such material has been enclosed which furnishes a ground for deployment of the Central Paramilitary Forces in the forthcoming Kolkata Municipal Corporation Elections. Therefore, at this stage, we do not find sufficient material to accept the prayer," the Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bhardwaj observed.
Challenging a single bench of Calcutta High Court’s verdict, the saffron camp had moved the division bench over the deployment of central forces in KMC polls.
Meanwhile, the state and the city police together started naka checking from Friday evening and CrPc 144 was imposed across the city from Saturday morning.
According to SEC sources, heavyweight leaders including their security personnel are not allowed to visit any booths from Saturday except in those where the leader is a voter.
“The political leaders will only be allowed to enter the booth where he/she is a voter and can visit the party office. The leaders along with their security personnel won’t be allowed to visit any other booths,” said SEC sources.
However, according to Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources, the ED had raided areas like Burrabazar, Ballygunge’s Queen’s Park and Kalighat after they had learned that huge amounts of money entered Kolkata ahead of the polls through the Hawala system.
