As West Bengal gears up for the crucial second phase of voting, the Election Commission is leaving no stone unturned to protect voters from intimidation. Central forces have been specifically tasked with aiding fearful citizens, providing armed escorts to polling booths amid reports of pre-poll threats.
Drawing lessons from phase one, where booth voting remained incident-free but paths to stations saw harassment, the ECI has ramped up protocols. Nodal officers will coordinate rapid-response teams from central detachments, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.
Special vigilance blankets areas with a history of poll violence, particularly Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas. Voters facing threats can anonymously report via helpline or email, prompting swift action to secure their right to vote.
‘Your security is our solemn duty,’ declared CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal, appealing for fearless participation. With 2,407 companies of CAPF, IRB, interstate police, and local forces deployed, the stage is set for secure elections in 30 seats. This unprecedented security blanket aims not just to guard booths but to dismantle the fear factor plaguing Bengal’s polls, fostering true democratic expression.
