On Deployment of Polling Staff

Date: 
Thursday, March 18, 2004

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

                                              On Deployment Of Polling Staff

The CPI(M) would welcome any steps taken by the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair poll during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission has already directed the Chief Electoral Officers of all states to ensure that 50 per cent of presiding officers and 50 per cent of polling officers in every district be appointed from outside the districts concerned.
In the case of West Bengal, the Chief Election Commissioner has announced that the Commission will consider bringing polling personnel from outside the state for deployment. Such a decision, if taken, should be applicable to all states.