New Delhi, April 22 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has banned the use of motorcycles in West Bengal between 6pm and 6am two days before every phase of polling, and ordered the evacuation of tourists and outsiders from the seaside resorts of Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur, Udaipur and Shankarpur.

Both orders are unprecedented in India's electoral history.

In a directive dated April 20, the state chief electoral officer banned motorcycle rides between 6 pm and 6 am with exemptions only for medical emergencies or family functions. Pillion riding was separately banned between 6 am and 6 pm, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies, family functions and essential requirements such as dropping or picking up school children. Both ...