Kolkata, Jun 29 (IANS): The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday told the State Election Commission (SEC) to operate in such a manner so that the faith of the general public on it is restored.

“You are constantly telling the court that you have made all the arrangements for the upcoming panchayat elections. Whatever you do you shouldensurethat thefaith of the common peopleis restored. The commissionshouldwin the confidence of thepeople by ensuring free and fair polls,” Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam told the counsel of SEC during a hearing on a contempt of court petition filed against SEC on the deployment of central armed forces for the July 8 panchayatelections.

At one point, Justice Sivagnanam could be heard commenting whether the judges of the high court will have to be stationed on Sarojini Naidu Sarani in central Kolkata where the office of the state poll panel is located.

“We do not want to interfere in the functioning of the commission. But circumstances are forcing us to step in again and again,” the Chief Justice observed.

The bench also directed the counsel of the state government to ensure that the state governmentextends full cooperation to the commission for ensuring free and fair polls. The court directed the state government and the poll panel to submit detailed reports on this count to the court.