Arijit Banerjee, J. - (1.) These four writ petitions involve similar issues of fact and law and have accordingly been taken up together for hearing and disposal.
(2.) The basic demand of the petitioners is that the ensuing Panchayat Elections in West Bengal should be conducted in a free and fair manner. They allege that to eliminate contest and competition the cadres of the ruling party are physically obstructing candidates of other political parties who intend to contest the election from filing their nomination papers. The petitioners also pray for deployment of Central Forces for ensuring peaceful and transparent election. Re: WP 4613 (W) of 2018:-
(3.) The petitioner in this writ petition is the state president of the Indian National Congress Party. The main prayers in this writ petition are as follows:- "(a) (i) Writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents specially the respondent nos. 2 & 3 to set aside and/or quash and/or cancel the notification bearing Nos. 515 - SEC/1E-88/2017 dt. 02.04.18, 516 - SEC/1E88/2017 dt. 2.4.18 & 517 - SEC/1E-88/2017 dt. 2.4.18 being Annexure - 'P-2' of this writ petition and after set aside and/or quashing and/or cancelling the same directing the said respondents to issue a fresh notification by extending the schedule of election from beginning to end i.e. from filing the nomination paper to the date of poll forthwith; (ii) Writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents specially the respondent no. 3 for taking immediate steps for deployment of Central Forces and officials from the date of filling nomination paper to the date of poll and counting forthwith; (iii) To direct the respondent no. 3 to ensure to file the nomination paper by the contesting candidates, if necessary, b a direction for filing nomination before the State Election Commissioner and/or concerned District Magistrate of the concerned district who in turn send the same to the concerned places by taking the process of internet; (c) Writ in the nature of Prohibition prohibiting the respondents from taking any steps and/or further steps as per the schedule given in the notification dt. 2nd April, 2018;";