New Delhi: This year, West Bengal, the fourth most populous state in the country according to the 2011 Census, is witnessing the most intense Assembly
elections in decades. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is looking to come to power for the fourth consecutive time, while the BJP is looking to form the government in the state for the first time. There are other contenders like the CPI(M) and the Congress which are looking to dent the vote banks of the primary fighters.
The schedule of the Bengal Assembly elections
The elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29 to elect all 294 members of the Legislative Assembly. The counting of votes and the declaration of results will take place on May 4. The voting process will take place between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the designated polling stations.
Districts covered in Phase 1
The Phase 1 of the elections will cover 152 constituencies and it will include constituency numbers 1–76, 203–258, and 275–294. The districts include Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinapur, Dakshin Dinapur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram.
Districts covered in Phase 2
The Phase 2 of the elections will take place on April 29 and will cover seven districts. They are: North 24 Parganas, South Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly, Kolkata, Nadia, and Purba Bardhaman. The State Excise Directorate had imposed strict restrictions on the sale of liquor across 16 districts of North and South Bengal from April 20, 9 pm. Also, the ECI has banned bike rallies, night-time movement, and limited pillion riding. In a notification, it ordered that from two days before the polling date, no bikes and scooters will be allowed to operate between 6 pm and 6 am, except in emergencies or for family functions. Also, bike rallies have been banned to ease the disruption in the electoral process.
