SECURITY was tightened as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are set to witness high-stake polls on Thursday. While West Bengal would vote in the first of the two-phase, where about 3.6 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in roughly 44,000 polling booths across 152 constituencies in 16 districts; 5.73 crore voters including 2.93 crore female electors, 2.83 crore male electors, and 7,728 third-gender voters would vote for the single phase polling in Tamil Nadu. Though there has been a significant reduction in phases in West Bengal compared to earlier elections, the State is witnessing an unprecedented deployment of central security agencies with new and unique Election Commission measures aimed at the strict imposition of rules. The poll schedule has been compressed to just two from eight phases in 2021 and six in 2016, where the first phase was divided into two days in the latter. This time, a close contest is expected in at least 80 seats in this phase between the ruling Trinamool Congress and main challenger Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In some, a multi-cornered contest may be witnessed with the Left Front and Congress having parted ways and the entry of religion-based organisations. The seats, going to polls on Thursday, are spread across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur. There are 1,478 candidates in the fray. Turnout patterns in minority-dominated and tea-garden areas, the functioning of super-sensitive booths, and the poll body’s complaint channels will be immediate barometers of how the tightened arrangements play out.

 

The Trinamool faces the challenge of defending its 2021 dominance across a fragmented map where electoral roll revisions and concentrated security may alter turnout patterns. The party will seek to retain the rural and minority-dominated belts in this phase, which is crucial to its path to a majority. The BJP, meanwhile, views this phase as an opportunity to consolidate gains in North Bengal, border districts, and key urban centres where a strong showing would sustain its narrative of a two-front contest and put pressure on the ruling party. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik on Wednesday said the Election Commission has seized items worth Rs 1,262 crore in the State, including cash amounting to Rs 543 crore during vehicle checks. Addressing the media on the State’s preparedness for the upcoming polls, Patnaik stated that 163 FIRs have been lodged in connection with various violations while the social media monitoring cell has ensured the removal of 2,180 URLs across different platforms. Providing a breakdown of the electoral rolls, the official said the total electoral strength of the State stands at 5.73 crore. This includes 2.93 crore female electors, 2.83 crore male electors, and 7,728 third-gender voters. The State has also seen a significant influx of 14,59,039 first-time voters. Regarding the logistics of the voting process, a total of 75,064 polling stations have been set up across 33,133 locations, supported by 1,06,418 ballot units and 75,064 control units and VVPAT machines.

 

To ensure a smooth and inclusive voting experience, the commission has established 249 model polling stations, 325 stations managed entirely by women, and 71 stations managed by persons with disabilities, she said. Additionally, 29 booths will be managed by youth, and several districts are piloting green polling stations, according to Patnaik. To maintain security and order, 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed alongside 83,875 local police personnel.