Kolkata: In an unprecedented move to ensure free, fair and peaceful election, the EC plans to create a strict 100-metre perimeter — a ‘Lakshman Rekha’ — around every polling booth in Bengal. The boundary will be marked with white chalk, and only poll officials, security personnel and voters of the booth will be allowed entry. Camps of parties will not be allowed inside that 100-metre zone.“For the first time in any election in Bengal, a ‘Lakshman Rekha’ (a 100-metre parameter) with white chalk will be created around every polling station. If there are more than one booth in a polling premises, then the 100-metre boundary will be marked around that premises. Only voters, polling officials and security personnel in charge of polling premises will be allowed inside ‘Lakshman Rekha’,” a senior official said. BLOs and a govt official will verify documents outside the perimeter, followed by further checks at two additional desks inside the booth area. The multi-layered verification aims to prevent impersonation and bogus voting.EC has also tightened rules for voter slip distribution. BLOs have been directed to deliver slips door-to-door at least five days before polling, maintaining detailed records of voters who did not receive them and reasons. “On poll day, presiding officers will question such voters and allow voting only after verifying their identity from electoral roll,” another EC official said.There will be a fresh layer of scrutiny of ASDD list at boohs to ensure that no person on it can cast vote in the booth. Micro observers posted inside booths, central forces, and state police personnel will be equipped with body cameras. The EC will also take control of all govt CCTVs in assembly constituencies for real-time monitoring. The EC also directed Kolkata and Howrah cops to arrange adequate bikes for security forces to navigate narrow lanes on poll day and respond to plaints. “It has also received complaints from some districts that civic volunteers were being deployed on security duties, allegedly in camouflage resembling CAPF uniforms. It has warned DMs, SPs that if these are proven, the civic volunteer will lose job, and appointing authority will face action.
