Election Commission Marks 3,647 Polling Stations as Critical in West Bengal

In a significant move to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, the Election Commission has identified a substantial number of polling stations as critical. Specifically, for the fourth phase of polling scheduled on May 13, a total of 3,647 out of 15,507 stations have been marked as such across eight constituencies. This classification highlights the Election Commission's commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of the electoral process in regions identified as sensitive.

The Bolpur constituency has emerged with the highest number of critical polling stations, totaling 659. It is closely followed by Birbhum with 640 and Baharampur with 558. Other constituencies with a significant number of critical stations include Burdwan-Durgapur with 422, Ranaghat with 410, Krishnanagar with 338, Asansol with 319, and Bardhaman Purba with 301. This strategic identification underscores the meticulous planning by the poll body to address potential challenges during the election.

To fortify security measures at these critical stations, the Election Commission has planned the deployment of 579 companies of central forces during the fourth phase. This is in addition to over 30,000 state police personnel who will also be on duty to ensure a peaceful and fair polling process. Bardhaman Purba district will see the highest concentration of central forces, with 152 companies assigned, followed by Birbhum with 131 and Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate with 88.

Looking ahead to the fifth phase of polling on May 20, which encompasses seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Bengal, the commission has identified an even larger number of critical polling stations at 7,711 out of 13,481. Hooghly district leads this list with 1,787 critical stations, closely followed by Arambagh with 1,770 and Srirampur with 1,236.

The criteria for designating a polling station as critical include instances where more than 90 per cent voting is recorded at any booth, if any one candidate secures more than 70 per cent of total votes cast, or if less than 10 per cent of votes were cast in any one booth. These measures are part of the Election Commission's rules aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent election process by closely monitoring stations that may present challenges due to their political sensitivity or voting patterns.

This proactive approach by the Election Commission reflects its dedication to conducting elections that are not only free and fair but also secure from any form of disruption or malpractice. By identifying and addressing potential hotspots for electoral issues in advance, the commission aims to uphold the democratic process and ensure that every vote is counted in a safe environment.