After outrage, EC flip-flop on motorcycle ban order ahead of Bengal polls

KOLKATA: Hours after ordering a prohibition on riding motorcycles in the run-up to the polls, the Election Commission did a flip-flop on Tuesday evening, after facing flak from citizens. The Bengal CEO claimed the ban was aimed at putting brakes on the "movement of toughs and miscreants" and not on the general public.

The EC order bans motorcycle rallies in the city from Thursday. From April 27, a curfew on bikes and bike rallies will be enforced between 6 pm and 6 am.

The circular by the Bengal CEO, Manoj Agarwal, stated bike movements were completely prohibited in 152 Assembly constituencies across 16 districts from 6 pm on Tuesday till the close of the first phase of the election on Thursday. A similar prohibition would be replicated in Kolkata from April 27, two days before the city went to the polls on April 29. Exemptions were granted to essential services, including police, central forces, polling officials and emergency services. "App-based bike riding services, food delivery services, quick commerce and e-commerce are exempted," he said.



Those who depend solely on two-wheelers for commuting were at a loss to understand the circular. In the evening, following widespread outrage by commuters, Agarwal assured that "no general public, office commuters would be stopped or harassed. The ban is meant for toughs."

But the EC circular raised concerns among citizens, who worried about the money and time they would have to spend on public transport. "How can I travel to my office in Sector V, which is 26 km from my home in Tollygunge? Travel by other modes of transport will not only cost me a lot but also increase my commute time," said Sayantan Bhattacharya, a private firm employee. A Golf Green resident, Sandip Sarkar, said if he was stopped from using his bike, he would have to stop taking outdoor assignments. "I depend on my bike to meet clients and for outdoor visits. Also, I can reach home from work on a bike in half an hour. A bus ride would take almost two hours."

From April 27, during the restrictions on bikes, exceptions will be granted for documented emergencies, such as medical crises or essential family functions. During the day from April 27, pillion riding has been prohibited to prevent "mobilisation of troublemakers". Kolkata Police has made minor concessions for essential tasks, including ferrying of schoolchildren and medical emergencies. Acting on directives from the CEO, police commissioner Ajay Nand issued an order on Tuesday, imposing several prohibitions, aimed at preventing voter intimidation, booth jamming, and political violence within the metropolitan area and parts of South 24 Parganas under KP jurisdiction.
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