In a stern move to ensure a violence-free election in West Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has raised serious concerns regarding the movement of prisoners during the polling season. During a high-level meeting on Tuesday, the CEC directed West Bengal Chief Secretary BP Gopalika to “look into” whether criminals escape from jails or are released on parole specifically during the election period to influence voters.

The Commission expressed its dissatisfaction over the large number of pending Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) in the state. Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that the presence of absconding criminals or those out on parole poses a significant threat to the democratic process. He has sought a detailed report on jail inmates, recent escapes, and the current status of parolees. The CEC’s sharp question, “Do prisoners flee when it’s time to vote?”, highlights the Commission’s lack of trust in the local administrative monitoring of history-sheeters.

This direct intervention by the Election Commission is being seen as a preemptive strike against potential electoral malpractices. The state administration has been ordered to tighten security around prisons and ensure that no criminal elements are allowed to roam free during the voting phases. As the political temperature in Bengal rises, this “search for absconders” is set to become a major talking point in the upcoming polls.