Is it justified for India to have Lok Sabha elections in 7 phases over 6 weeks in 2019? https://theprint.in/talk-point/is-it-justified-for-india-to-have-lok-sabha-elections-in-7-phases-over-6-weeks-in-2019/204127/
11 March, 2019
What the 8-phase West Bengal election means for EC, parties and voters https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/west-bengal-elections-2021-tmc-bjp-congress-cpm-election-commission-7207375/ According to the poll panel, such a prolonged election schedule was required due to festivals, the buffer for movement of security forces and an increased number of polling stations keeping in mind the Covid-19 protocols.
However, soon after poll dates were announced, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose party Trinamool Congress is facing a tough challenge from BJP in the state, alleged that such a long poll schedule was suited to the saffron party. ...
A simple solution to the issue of manipulation of phases of elections to benefit one party, can be solved, by closing street & public campaigning in the entire State on one particular date. As well as closing nominations on a common day. EC supervised and equity based telecast and social media for each party as they had earlier in the election broadcast on Doordarshan could be allowed till the end of polling for all constituencies. This will prevent electorate from being manipulated region wise.
This will incentivise the security forces to act and move from one phase to another quickly. And in cases like this where there is a health emergency or there are possibilities of poll violence, it is easier to impose restrictions on movements curfews etc..