The CPM on Monday termed incidents of poll violence in West Bengal a “mockery of democracy” and sought repoll in over 800 booths with “adequate arrangements for protection of voters”.

In a memorandum, submitted by CPM Politburo members S Ramachandran Pillai and Sitaram Yechury to the Election Commission, the party lashed out at the poll panel for remaining “mute spectators” to the alleged violence.

“It is, indeed, unfortunate that the Election Commission and its apparatus are remaining mute spectators watching this mockery of democracy. Far from discharging its Constitutional mandate of conducting a free and fair election, the EC apparatus remains a helpless bystander,” the memorandum said.

“We demand an immediate intervention to restore the conduct of a free and fair poll. Since the time for polling is nearing its end, we have no option but to demand re-polling in all these booths with adequate arrangements for protection of the voters which includes the deployment of central forces, video surveillance of the booths, strict instructions to the concerned officials to take prompt action against those disrupting the conduct of free and fair elections, amongst others,” it added. Blaming the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state for the violence, the CPM said the Left parties would organise protests across the country on Wednesday to demand repolling in the “affected areas”.

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