Election – Central Forces Guard High-Rise Polling Stations in Bengal Phase Two

Election – Central security personnel were stationed at the entrances of residential towers and large housing complexes across West Bengal on Wednesday, following a late directive from the Election Commission of India. The move came as the state entered the second phase of Assembly elections, covering 142 constituencies under heightened security arrangements.

Last-Minute Directive Strengthens Security Presence

Officials confirmed that the instruction was issued late Tuesday night to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal. The order was also communicated to senior law enforcement authorities, including Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta and Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand. The directive called for immediate deployment of central forces at locations where temporary polling stations had been set up within residential premises.

Sources within the election office indicated that the Chief Electoral Officer acted swiftly, instructing that all such polling sites, particularly those inside high-rise buildings and large housing societies, must have security personnel stationed at entry points without delay.

Public Address Systems to Encourage Voter Participation

In addition to physical security, the deployed personnel were also equipped with public address systems. These systems were intended to reassure residents and motivate them to participate in the voting process without hesitation. Officials emphasized that the goal was to create a secure and confidence-building environment for voters, especially in urban residential clusters.

Election authorities believe that such measures will help counter any apprehension among voters and ensure higher turnout in sensitive or densely populated areas.

Focus on Urban and Adjacent Districts

The deployment was primarily concentrated in Kolkata and its surrounding districts, including North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Howrah. These areas have a significant number of high-rise residential complexes where temporary polling booths were established for logistical convenience.

Apart from the capital region, polling in this phase also covered districts such as Hooghly, Nadia, and East Burdwan. Authorities ensured that security arrangements were uniformly implemented across all regions participating in this phase of voting.

Massive Security Deployment Across Polling Stations

The second phase of the elections is being conducted under extensive security coverage. A total of 2,407 companies of central forces have been deployed across the state. This includes personnel from Central Armed Police Forces, India Reserve Battalion units, and armed police contingents from other states.

These forces are working alongside the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents during polling hours. Officials described the scale of deployment as one of the most comprehensive security arrangements in recent state elections.

Assurance of Free and Fair Elections

Election authorities have reiterated their commitment to conducting elections in a peaceful and transparent manner. Messages circulated to voters highlighted that the Commission is prepared to provide all necessary assistance to ensure that citizens can exercise their democratic rights without fear.

The presence of central forces at strategic points, combined with continuous monitoring, is aimed at minimizing disruptions and maintaining confidence in the electoral process.

Webcasting Enhances Monitoring Efforts

To further strengthen oversight, webcasting has been implemented at all polling stations. This allows real-time monitoring of voting activities, enabling officials to respond quickly to any irregularities. The use of technology is expected to add another layer of transparency to the election process.

With strict security measures, technological support, and coordinated efforts between agencies, authorities aim to ensure that the second phase of polling proceeds smoothly and without incidents.