A DELEGATION of the CPI(M) led by the general secretary, Sitaram Yechury met the full body of the Election Commission on March 6, to highlight the grave situation prevailing in Tripura which threatens the conduct of free and fair elections to the 17th Lok Sabha. The delegation consisted of Nilotpal Basu, Polit Bureau member, Gautam Das, secretary, Tripura state committee and the three MPs from the state, Jiten Choudhary, Shankar Datta and Jharna Das.

The delegation pointed out the complete breakdown of law and order in the state largely due to the partisan acts of the state administration and the consequent sense of fear and intimidation which poses a major challenge to the holding of free, fair and peaceful polls. The delegation also pinpointed specific issues which need to be addressed to overcome these major concerns.

Regarding the general elections, the delegation discussed the question of tallying the VVPAT count of at least 50 per cent of the booths with those of the corresponding EVM records. The delegation posed the question as to how the financial implication of electoral bonds which will impact the level playing field for holding free and fair polls would be addressed by the Election Commission. The delegation further urged the commission to take appropriate steps for restraining the ruling party from using images and references of jawans’ sacrifice in Pulwama and the strike by the air force as the men in uniform belong to the nation as a whole and not to any particular political party.