Kolkata: The EC’s no-outsider-on-premises rule has drawn flak from residents of city high-rises, some of whom vote in places like East Burdwan but stay in a gated complex in Kolkata. Some others have relatives coming over from Mumbai or other places for the summer vacation. The EC order banning everyone from outside a particular constituency from complexes that will host polling booths has come as a shocker for thousands of citizens. They are seeking clarity from the Commission on the order, stating that the rule also results in family divide. In many cases, some members of a family living in a condominium have yet to change their previous addresses. Many families are worried over their ayahs or whole-time domestic helps, who are also “outsiders” going by the EC’s rule.A resident of a high-rise with a polling booth called the order “illogical” and “impractical”. “My voter card is registered with this address but my wife has not changed her address and she still votes in a north Kolkata constituency where her parents’ house is located. Will she not be allowed to stay at her flat from 6 pm on April 27? My mother is bedridden and we have a 24×7 help for her. She is from Garia. Will she be allowed to stay on the premises? We need clarification from the EC,” he said.The restriction, announced by Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal, will be in force from 6 pm on April 27 till the end of polling. Genexx Valley, a condominium on Diamond Harbour Road, has around 6,000 residents in 1,875 flats. Of them, 750 will vote on the premises. About 350 other residents of the complex will have their booth outside the complex. Sourav Datta, an oncosurgeon who resides at this complex, said, “What does this order mean? My wife is a voter of this constituency, though she has to go outside the complex to vote. I live here but I am a voter of Raina in East Burdwan. Shall I have to stay away from the complex for the election? Will my mother, who stays with me occasionally, be considered an outsider? My brother’s family has come for a visit from Mumbai. Where shall I keep them? About 150 outsiders will come to our society to vote, but my relatives will not be allowed to stay with us in our own flat. Is this a joke?”“I called the local cops and they said EC has not sent them any clear instruction about the staying of non-voters in the complex,” said Ashok Baid of Silver Spring. The complex has nearly 2,000 residents but barely 600 of them are registered voters. The rest include children, domestic helps, tenants and visiting relatives.In New Town, there are three large housing complexes where polling booths will be set up. “There are 800 to 1,200 residents of this housing complex who are voters of this booth and there is a large section of tenants. What will happen to them? Will they have to leave? A clarification from the EC will be helpful,” said Mainak Kanrar, executive member of Sukhobristi New Town cultural society.“We have no option but to comply with whatever instructions or directions will be given, but the instructions do not seem to have any logic. For the sake of elections, why should guests be barred from staying on the premises? Or, why should the residents who are voters elsewhere be asked to stay away?” asked Rosedale housing complex association president Manoj Sharma.“The instruction is absurd and illogical. What problem can arise if my friend or relative — who is not a voter of this constituency — wants to stay here? What if a relative has come to stay for some time during the election for medical treatment or any other important purpose? How can they be forced to leave?” said a resident of Uniworld City housing complex.
