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Bengal Polls: ECI Bans Bike Rallies, Restricts Pillion Riding for Fair Voting

The Election Commission of India has imposed strict restrictions on motorcycle movement in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections. The measures include a ban on bike rallies and processions in sensitive areas two days before polling. Pillion riding is also restricted during daytime hours, with exemptions for essential services like medical needs and transporting school students. The Commission has directed police to enforce these rules strictly to ensure a free and fair voting process on April 23 and 29.

Key Points: ECI Restricts Motorcycles in Bengal Ahead of Assembly Polls

  • Bike rallies banned in sensitive areas
  • No pillion riding from 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Night riding ban from 6 PM to 6 AM
  • Exemptions for medical and family needs
2 min read

Bengal polls: ECI restricts bike riding, pillion use

Election Commission bans bike rallies & restricts pillion riding in West Bengal to ensure voter safety and peaceful polling. Details on timings and exemptions.

"cracking down on motorcycle rallies and riding, citing concerns over voter safety - Election Commission"

Kolkata, April 21

Ahead of the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for April 23, the Election Commission has imposed strict restrictions on motorcycle movement to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful polling process.

This time, the Election Commission has taken a step further and is cracking down on bike riding in the state.

In a notification issued on Tuesday, the Commission announced a crackdown on motorcycle rallies and riding, citing concerns over voter safety and the possible misuse of bike processions to exert dominance during elections.

According to the Election Commission, such steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the voters.

As per the order of the Election Commission, bike rallies or motorcycle processions are being banned in sensitive areas two days before the elections. Even riding motorbikes will be banned from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day. However, in this case, there is an exemption for riding bikes for emergency medical services or family needs.

Not only that, Election Commission has also imposed restrictions on pillion riding. The notification states that no rider can be placed on the back of a bike from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. two days before the elections. However, the Commission has an exemption in this case too, for transporting school students, for medical needs, or for family needs.

The commission has clearly stated that if any exemption is required, the person concerned will have to obtain written permission from the concerned police station. The commission has also directed the district administration and police to ensure that this rule is strictly followed.

Polling will be held in 294 Assembly constituencies of West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29. Kolkata will go to the polls in the second phase. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
But this is causing so much inconvenience for daily commuters! My husband uses his bike to drop our kids to school and then go to work. Now we have to apply for permission? The process is never simple. They should have planned better exemptions.
R
Rohit P
Fully support this. In my area of Howrah, bike gangs creating noise and showing muscle power is a common sight before elections. This restriction will cut down on that hooliganism. Hope the police implement it strictly.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see such specific measures. The exemption for school students and medical needs shows they've thought about practical difficulties. The success will depend entirely on ground-level execution by the administration.
V
Vikram M
This is an overreach, frankly. Why punish all bike riders for the actions of a few political workers? The night ban from 6 PM is too early. Many people return from work after 7. The EC should target illegal rallies, not general public movement.
M
Meera T
As a teacher, I appreciate the exemption for students. Last election, our school vans were stuck because of bike rallies blocking roads. If this ensures smooth travel for children during exam season, it's worth the temporary hassle.

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