The Election Commission today issued a clarification saying that the five special teams of Chief Electoral Officers of different states will assist the CEO of West Bengal in examining poll preparedness.
"There have been news reports published in some newspapers quoting that EC to deploy special teams for the first time in West Bengal, which is misinterpretative and misrepresentative of the fact and instructions issued by the Commission," a note issued by the commission from Delhi said.
It said that they have been sending teams to different states during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections based on the need in consultation with CEOs of the state.
"Election Commission of India has decided to send five special teams to assist CEO, West Bengal and the Commission in assessing the preparedness of the electoral machinery at the grass root level," it said.
The visit of such teams will be for a period as determined by EC in consultation with West Bengal CEO and see the implementation of EC directions at grass root level by the official machinery, said the statement.
The special teams will take district-wise inputs from the CEO beforehand and make a visit to the districts.
"On their return, they will give their feedback to the CEO and to the Commission. The Special Teams are being sent in batches to Assam and West Bengal. The other teams will also visit other poll-going states in the near future," it said.
