The Chief Minister, protesting the CEO’s move to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes stated, “The proposal is deeply problematic. Polling stations have always been-and must remain-located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality. Private buildings are typically avoided for clear reasons: They compromise fairness, violate established rooms and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public-the haves and have-nots.”

“Why is such a move being contemplated at all? Again, is this being done under pressure from a political party to advance their partisan interests?” she wrote in the letter.

“Why? Why? Why?” she questioned the CEC.

It’s learnt that the ECI has already written to several housing societies in north Kolkata to set up booths on their premises. These booths will be exclusively for residents of societies with over 300 voters.

After the incident of the BLOs’ deaths by suicide in Bardhaman and Jalpaiguri districts last week, Mamata came down heavily on the ECI alleging that precious lives are lost due work pressure and stress generated by the SIR process in the state. She urged the commission to “immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost.”

BJP leaders alleged that the Chief Minister is fearing her party’s fate in the coming assembly polls next year in the state and that’s why she is involving saffron camp in connection with CEO’s proposals.