Suranjit rips into EC over poll deaths

Ruling Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta yesterday lambasted the Election Commission because of its "inaction" to prevent violence in the Union Parishad polls.

"When we observe...nine people were killed today [in the second phase polls], we cannot keep our eyes shut," he told a programme at the capital's Dhakeshwari national temple.

Suranjit said EC was the most powerful commission in the world. "It can cancel an election or accept it, if it wishes. Even it can sack anyone. But what is this? It does not move."

Suranjit, also president of the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs, criticised the commission for its failure to hold trials over the violence.   

He urged the commission to be more active to stop violence.

Like the first phase, violence and irregularities marked the second phase UP polls on Thursday, leaving at least eight people dead and around 130 others wounded in clashes and firing.

In the first phase election, held March 22, at least 10 people lost their lives. Besides, 11 more were killed in polls-related violence since the announcement of the election schedule on February 11.

Suranjit also criticised EC for its inaction in preventing attacks on minorities during the election period.