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Kolkata: Thirty-year-old Jay Acharya lives in Sonarpur, on the outskirts of Kolkata. The sales agent of a paint company, every day Acharya takes his scooty in and around Kolkata, Jaynagar and Canning for work. The average distance he covers a day is close to 80 kilometres. Jay’s employers have made it clear to him that he has to work on the day of the polls.

In an order on April 20, the Bengal Chief Electoral Officer imposed strict restrictions on the use of motorcycles two days before polling and on polling day to ensure “free, fair, and violence-free” elections. The order bans all motorbike rallies and prohibits bike movement between 6 pm and 6 am, except in emergencies.

During the daytime, i.e. from 6 am to 6 pm, pillion riding is not allowed except for essential purposes such as medical emergencies, family needs, or school-related duties. On polling day, limited pillion riding is permitted for voting and essential activities.

Ananya Dam, a 34-year-old teacher, needs to travel every day from Kolkata’s Thakurpukur to Kasba, a distance of 14 kilometres. A bike taxi is an easy way of avoiding crowds. “How should I manage my time and budget? In name of free and fair elections, the Election Commission is actually treating the common persons like me unfairly.” 

But the impact of such a decision is felt far from Kolkata, in villages and small towns, even more. Many of the 16 districts going to the polls tomorrow are rural. There, the motorcycle is a lifeline for millions.

Many vital public transport vehicles like buses and cabs are already off the roads on election duty. Auto rickshaws are not always available, nor do they go everywhere with most running on specific routes. 

In the Mathurapur block of the South 24........

© The Wire