New Delhi: Lawyer ML Sharma on Monday filed a petition in Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to conduct assembly elections in West Bengal in as many as eight phases.
The plea states that the decision violates Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution and seeks the Supreme Court’s direction to the ECI to stop it from conducting eight-phase elections in the state, reports PTI.
The Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry. While polling in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will be held at one go and in Assam in three phases, West Bengal will have an eight-phase election from March 27 to April 29.
Sharma’s plea also seeks the apex court’s direction to the CBI to register an FIR into alleged chanting of religious slogans during electioneering in West Bengal.
Chanting of “Jai Shri Ram, other religious slogans are creating disharmony and is an offence under the IPC and the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” the petition contended.
Also Read: West Bengal Elections In 8 Phases, Assam 3; Single-Phase Polls In TN, Kerala, Puducherry
Also Read: Mamata Banerjee Slams 8-Phase Bengal Polls: ‘Is It On PM’s Suggestion?’
