West Bengal Panchayat Polls: Contesting Candidates’ Names Removed From Final List; Calcutta High Court Takes Strong Exception

On the 26 June, the Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) to examine the allegations that certain candidates’ names, who were to contest the forthcoming panchayat elections, were deleted from the final list of contesting candidates.

Justice Amrita Sinha of the Calcutta High Court stated that India being a democratic country, everyone has a right to choose a representative of their choice.

Sinha added that when there is no rival candidate in an election, it demonstrates that all is not right within the state, as it robs the electors of their choice. She stated that all candidates wanting to contest the election should be permitted to face electors in order to save democracy.

Commenting on the role played by the Election Commission, she stated that the commission ought to act independently and not take sides, as no person has a right to be elected uncontested.

She emphasised that corrupt practices of preventing a prospective candidate from filing nominations should not take place.

It was alleged that agents of the Trinamool Congress created ruckus while certain candidates belonging to the Rashtriya Secular Majlis Party went to file their nominations. However, even after successfully filing their nominations, their names were missing from the final list of contesting candidates.

Justice Sinha condemning the actions of the ruling party stated that the act of obstructing amounts to interfering with free and fair election, which is not desirable in a democracy. From violence, assault to rape and murder, opposition candidates are facing similar threats while filing their nominations.

It was also argued that Trinamool people terrorised government officials into not distributing nomination papers and the state police stood as mute spectators.

The High Court has directed the SEC to examine the matter and take necessary steps by 28 June. The court has directed the SEC to act in an unbiased fashion and carry on an independent inquiry into the allegations.