The Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court has ordered restrictions on both motorbike rallies and group motorbiking for 48 hours—from April 27 to April 29—until the conclusion of Phase 2 polling in the West Bengal state elections (scheduled for April 29).
The court’s order upholds the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to impose motorbike restrictions, aiming to ensure secure, free, and fair voting during Phase 2.
Phase 1 polling in West Bengal, held on April 23, recorded a turnout of 91.78%, the highest since Independence.
However, the phase was also marked by incidents of violence, including the vandalisation of BJP leader Agnimitra Paul’s car and alleged crude bomb attacks in Murshidabad.
The court’s decision is therefore seen as a necessary step to assist the ECI in ensuring peaceful and orderly voting in the upcoming phase.
