CALCUTTA, 7 March 2004 — The Election Commission’s special observer read the riot act to the West Bengal government yesterday warning the ruling communists to conduct free and fair elections or face the music.
EC’s special observer in West Bengal, Afzal Amanullah, said that he would not hesitate to order “any number of re-polls” if there is rigging in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May 10.
The Marxists are notorious for resorting to what the opposition parties call “scientific rigging” in election after election to retain their grip on power. Amanullah said that activities of key West Bengal officials connected with the elections were being scrutinized by the Election Commission which might remove them, if necessary.
Last month, much to the embarrassment of the Left Front government, the commission shunted three senior Indian Police Service officers who were branded “pro-CPI(M)” by the combined opposition.
Amanullah is a senior Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to the Bihar cadre. He had a long stint in India’s consulate in Jeddah and also happens to be the son-in-law of former member of Parliament, Syed Shahabuddin, who joined Congress on Sunday.
“Bihar and West Bengal pose a big challenge to poll officials. But the Election Commission is determined to hold free and fair elections at any cost”, Amanullah said.
Soon after arriving in Calcutta yesterday, Amanullah said: “EC thought it fit to send a special observer to West Bengal because of the special problems existing here and serious complaints lodged by various opposition parties against the state government.”
He said he would leave no stones unturned to bring about a qualitative change in the poll process this time.
