Election Commission praised for a peaceful final voting phase

Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) has passed its most difficult test of conducting elections in the Maoist areas of West Bengal with flying colours.

A visibly happy Sunil Kumar Gupta, Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, said: "Barring a few stray incidents, polling in the sixth phase has been peaceful and overall the EC has been able to conduct free and peaceful elections in all the six phases. More than 80 per cent of the 2.6 million voters have been able to cast their vote peacefully."

Security

"This was certainly the most critical of all phases in terms of security, and we are happy to have made sure that none of the officers on poll duty were affected in any way," he added.

Even the political parties are praising the EC for their role in this crucial assembly elections.

"The EC has done a fantastic job in all the six phases and due to its effort many people have been able to cast their vote for the first time in their lifetime. The biggest challenge, apart from security, was to make sure that the polls did not get rigged," said Partha Chatterjee, the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly.

Counting will take place on May 13 in 258 counting centres with results out the same day.

While CPI-M is confident of forming the 8th Left Front government, Trinamool Congress is confident with recent performances in the 2009 Lok Shaba and the 2010 Municipality elections, it will form the government in Bengal for the first time.