Centre to go ahead with poll plans
From Our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, DEC. 23.-The Union government intends to go ahead with the general selections, as cheduled, in February March next year. The continuance of the emergency-a decision to that effect was taken today—it is pointed out will not come in the way of holding elections.
According to present thinking in the Government, election for the West Bengal State Assembly is also likely to be held along with other States. However, the Government is yet to take a final decision in this regard.
The Prime Minister is understood to have told the West Bengal Congress (R) M. Ps. here today that if the people of West Bengal wanted to have Assembly elections in the State along with the elections in other States in the country, she would be guided by their views.
She expressed the hope that the Bangladesh refugees would go back to their homeland very soon.
The M. Ps. discussed with Mrs. Gandhi various problems facing West Bengal with particular reference to the possibility of holding Assembly elections in the State along with other States before Marchend 1972.
They reportedly told the Prime Minister that the West Bengal PCC (R) was in favour of holding Assembly elections in the State along with other States in the country.
The M. Ps. also wanted elections to be held in the State early next year.
In reply to a question, Mrs. Gandhi said that as soon as a decision was taken for holding elections in West Bengal, the WBPCC (R) would be asked by the AICC (R) Secretariat to send its recommendations to the Central Election Committee of the party for final selection of candidates.
Our Staff Reporter adds: The Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. Sen Varma, has asked West Bengal’s Chief Electorial Officer. Mr. D. K. Guha, to start the poreparations for holding the general elections.
State Government circles. However, feel that the elections cannot possibly be held in West Bengal during the first week of March, that is, along with the rest of the country.
First, an official spokesman said on Thursday, the election machinery of the State would be greatly handicapped in staging the poll if thousands of Government employees remained busy looking after the Bangladesh evacuees in hundreds of camps.
Secondly, he said a great deal of accommodation would be needed to house polling booths. Many school buildings prevolusly used for election purposes now shelter evacuees.
Moreover, the spokesman remarked, elections could hardly be organised when repatriation of the evacuees would be going on for both the work would require a large number of vehicles.
However, the spokesman said the State electoral rolls were ready with additions and amendments following the summary revision of the rolls published on December 15. The rolls contained the names of persons eligible to vote on January 1. 1971. According to the spokesman, the total number of voters would this time slightly exceed the previous figure of 21 million.
The State Election Department has, nevertheless, instructed the district officials to start preparing lists of polling booths, polling personnel etc. The department has itself started assessing the total stationery and other equipment needed for the purpose.
It would take 30 days, once the Government notification for staging the election is published, to complete the statutory obligations before the election is held.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24. 12. 1971