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Bengal Polls: CEO Urges Voters to Treat Booths Like Durga Puja Pandals

West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal, has appealed to voters to participate in the upcoming Assembly elections with the same enthusiasm as visiting Durga Puja pandals. He assured that preparations are underway for free and fair polling in Murshidabad district, while clarifying that names removed from rolls must be cleared by a tribunal to vote. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address an election rally in the district on April 14. The state will vote in two crucial phases on April 23 and 29, following the 2021 contest where the TMC won decisively but the BJP made significant gains.

Key Points: West Bengal CEO Urges High Voter Turnout in Assembly Polls

  • CEO urges festive voter turnout
  • Preparations for free & fair polls
  • Rahul Gandhi to address rally
  • Polling in two phases
  • High-stakes BJP vs TMC battle
2 min read

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer urges voters to turn out in Assembly polls, likens polling booths to Durga Puja pandals

West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal encourages voters to participate with Durga Puja-like enthusiasm. Rahul Gandhi to hold rally. Polls on April 23 & 29.

"We are urging the people to come to the booth as they go to the pandals during Durga Puja and cast their vote. - Manoj Agarwal"

Murshidabad, April 12

West Bengal State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal urged voters in the State to actively participate in the upcoming Assembly polls, stressing that arrangements have been made for "free and fair" polling in the district.

Drawing a cultural parallel to encourage higher voter turnout, Agarwal said people should approach polling stations with the same enthusiasm as they do during the festival of Durga Puja.

"Good preparations are underway for the elections in Murshidabad. We are meeting with people. We are also meeting with all the officials and all the observers who came to witness the election. We are prepared for free and fair elections; everyone should come and vote. We are urging the people to come to the booth as they go to the pandals during Durga Puja and cast their vote," he said.

He further clarified that the eligibility for voting for the people whose names were removed after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls by the Election Commission in the state will depend on the updated rolls after due legal processes.

"Those whose names have been removed will only be able to vote once their names are cleared by the tribunal," he added.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is set to address an election rally in Shamsherganj in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on April 14 as part of the Congress party's campaign for the upcoming state elections.

The state of West Bengal prepares for crucial polling in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the results set for May 4.

The upcoming elections follow the 2021 battle, where the TMC secured a landslide 213 seats. However, the BJP's growth from a minor player to 77 seats in the last cycle has set the stage for the current high-stakes confrontation.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Good sentiment, but the focus should be on the "free and fair" part. Last time there were so many complaints of booth capturing and violence. I hope the EC ensures safety first. The Durga Puja comparison is nice, but we need a peaceful environment like the puja pandal too.
S
Siddharth J
The issue of names being removed from rolls is worrying. Many genuine voters face this problem every election. The legal process is so slow, they might miss voting this time. EC should have sorted this much earlier.
A
Aryan P
High stakes indeed! BJP's rise from 3 seats in 2016 to 77 in 2021 shows a major shift. This election will be a true test for Didi's government. Every vote will count. Let's hope for a peaceful and decisive mandate.
M
Meera T
As a teacher, I tell my students voting is their duty. Using cultural references like Durga Puja makes the message relatable. Hope the young voters turn out in large numbers. The future of Bengal is in their hands.
D
David E
Interesting to see Rahul Gandhi campaigning there. Congress is trying hard to be relevant in this TMC vs BJP fight. Will be watching how this three-cornered contest plays out. Democracy in action!

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