CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury met the chief election commissioner on April 27 to relate some experiences of polling in West Bengal assembly elections so far and to underline certain urgent measures to be initiated to improve the quality of free and fair polls in the remaining two phases. He submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission bringing to notice the widely felt view of the people who voted during the 4th phase of elections on April 25, 2016, that the overall presence of the election administration, particularly that of the security personnel, both the central forces, as well as, sections of the state police did provide encouragement to the people to vote. However, the heroic resistance of the people and their determination to cast their votes despite all odds, stood out. The memorandum noted that despite the constant underlining of the paramount need for border sealing (inter-state, inter-district and international including the water ways), though there has been improvement in the situation, still a long way remains for making it absolutely full proof. This must be coupled with vigorous flag marches immediately after the campaign is closed. This is particularly needed in the rural areas where till now the presence of the central forces has not registered the desired level of visibility so as to build public confidence. With the level of central forces available with the EC, this should not be difficult to achieve. A detailed list of sensitive booths, and specific measures needed to create a conducive atmosphere for free and fair polls which was submitted by the CPI(M) South 24 Parganas District Committee was given to the EC. The submission also includes a list of names of hardened criminals and anti-socials (assembly constituency wise) drawn up based on their past involvement in poll related violence during the last Lok Sabha and municipal and panchayat polls. Similarly, two representations from CPI(M) West Bengal state committee pertaining to 153-Behala Purba AC and 154-Behala Paschim AC underlining similar concerns, and representations from CPI(M) West Bengal state committee on same concerns for the constituencies in Hooghly district and that for Kolkata South District seats were appended to the memorandum. Attention was drawn to the seamless manner in which post-poll violence is merging into pre-poll violence for the subsequent phase. It is important to note that in the atmosphere of general poll related violence, the polling agents of the opposition parties appear to be special target for intimidation and terrorisation. The memorandum therefore urged the Election Commission to not only not lower its guard for the coming phase of polling on April 30, 2016. On the contrary, it must display greater vigilance, greater alacrity in responding to complaints and effective action. This is absolutely essential for a free and fair polling in the remaining two phases. The memorandum reiterated that the Election Commission alone is mandated by the constitution to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections.