The Election Commission has identified more than 200 locations across West Bengal as violence-prone, citing a history of poll-related and post-poll unrest in these areas.
In response, the Commission has
directed District Magistrates (DMs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to conduct field visits and undertake confidence-building measures among voters. According to officials, administrative teams have already begun outreach in these identified pockets.
Over the next 72 hours, the Election Commission plans to intensify these efforts, with a focus on reassuring voters in sensitive regions and areas known for post-poll violence. The Commission has emphasised that ensuring a violence-free election in the state remains a top priority this time.
As part of its measures, the Election Commission has also introduced a helpline number for voters. Individuals facing intimidation or threats can report incidents directly through this mechanism.
In parallel, the Commission has adopted a strict approach to webcasting to enhance transparency during polling. Rehearsals for webcasting will begin five days before polling, with the first round of checks at polling booths scheduled five days ahead of voting. A second round of testing will be conducted two days prior to polling.
In locations where electricity connectivity is unavailable, videography will be deployed as an alternative. Several booths in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Alipurduar districts are expected to rely on videography due to a lack of power supply. Mock polls will also be conducted under webcasting arrangements.
On polling day, webcasting will begin at 5:30 am. The Commission has warned of strict action in case of any irregularities, including possible dismissal from service. The directive applies to all personnel involved, including central forces.
These instructions were issued by the Chief Electoral Officer during a meeting attended by District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and other senior state administrative officials.
Abhishek Banerjee Criticises EC
Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Election Commission, calling it the “real trump card” of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal.
Taking it to X, Banerjee said, “If you think Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, or Yogi Adityanath are the BJP’s trump cards in Bengal, you are sorely mistaken. The real trump card fighting for the BJP from the shadows is the Chief Election Commissioner. BJP calls the shots, and the Election Commission obediently follows orders.”
He further alleged that several security agencies have been deployed in the State to single out those who are protected by the Trinamool Congress (TMC). “Hundreds of companies of Central Forces, who would be far more useful in Pahalgam, Delhi, Manipur, or Noida, have been deployed in Bengal. Now they have been specifically instructed to single out Trinamool Congress protected, including my own family,” he added.
Banerjee further challenged the BJP, exuding confidence in TMC’s victory in the forthcoming Assembly elections. “Do whatever you want. Target whoever you want. But remember that your stay in Bengal is limited to exactly 19 days. Those Gujarat babus who are threatening our party workers to stay indoors today won’t be seen in Bengal even for an hour after the results are declared. That’s not a threat. That’s a challenge,” he wrote.
Polling for West Bengal Assembly elections will take place in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the results set for May 4. The upcoming elections follow the 2021 battle, where the TMC secured a landslide 213 seats. However, the BJP’s growth from a minor player to 77 seats in the last cycle has set the stage for the current high-stakes confrontation.
