In Jharkhand, the BJP has officially asked for central forces to be used for the state’s municipal elections; the party says that law and order has ‘entirely broken down’ with the vote approaching. Led by state president Aditya Sahu, a party group saw State Election Commissioner Alka Tiwari and gave her a paper asking for central security at places which were thought to be at risk.
The paper asked for central forces at all polling booths which were sensitive and very sensitive, and at strong rooms and counting places. The party claimed that because ballot papers – not EVMs – were being used, there was more possibility of the state administration being misused and of people taking over polling booths.
BJP people called for the voting and counting to be watched all the time. They said the forces should be arranged like in the recent Lok Sabha and assembly elections, when central forces were guarding many town polling centres.
Aditya Sahu blamed the JMM-Congress-RJD government in power for wide-ranging corruption and a shadow government run by criminals. He said that these conditions could ruin the fairness of the municipal elections.
Children being kidnapped in Bokaro
Sahu gave particular events to support the request: stories of children being kidnapped in Bokaro, threats to the Ranchi Civil Court and the DC office, shootings in Jamshedpur and Chutia in Ranchi, attacks by people driving while drunk, and firing in Ramgarh. He said these happenings made voters and those working at the elections afraid.
Elections to 48 Urban Local Bodies are on February 23, and counting will be on February 27. Officials have said that more than 4.33 million people are allowed to vote, with around 2.12 million being women.
BJP request as just political behaviour
A total of 4,304 polling places have been set up for the elections. Of these, 896 have been labelled ‘extremely sensitive’ and 2,445 ‘sensitive’, meaning a large number of places will need a great deal more security and watching.
Leaders of the government group turned down the BJP request as just political behaviour. A party speaker said the action was a sign of disappointment after losing elections and showed belief in the state government’s work.
The government parties stressed that the election organisation was good at running free and fair municipal elections. They suggested the BJP was trying to make normal election plans look like proof of unfairness or wrongdoing.
Using central forces at hundreds of places and several counting centres is difficult to organise and needs cooperation between central and state bodies. Those in authority must find a balance between clear security and voters being able to get to and easily take part in the voting.
Using central forces can give comfort to parts of the voting public and to opposition parties about being neutral. However, it could also raise political tension if seen as a criticism of the state police – particularly when parties are already disagreeing over administration and the law.
Election people will watch places which are thought to be at risk and strong rooms carefully. People watching and returning officers will likely increase looking at places which are extremely sensitive, to stop wrongdoing and ensure the chain of custody of ballot papers.
Voters will decide on February 23, and counting on February 27 will decide the results for the 48 urban bodies. Whether central forces are used will depend on choices by the election organisation, and any further requests from parties or security judgements.
The next few days will test how ready the administration is and how much the public believes in the voting process. Clear speaking about security plans and fair watching will be a key part in forming how people see the municipal elections.
