In a proactive step ahead of West Bengal’s fiercely contested assembly polls, the Election Commission of India is dispatching a high-level team to conduct on-ground final reviews. The visit, timed perfectly before the two-phase voting on April 23 and 29, signals the poll panel’s zero-tolerance stance on irregularities.
Insider information from the state CEO’s office indicates the team, headed by Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, will touch down in Kolkata early Monday. Their mandate: a thorough audit of readiness in all 294 assembly segments.
To maximize efficiency, the squad will divide responsibilities geographically. South Bengal inspectors will cover key zones like the Burdwan twins, East Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, the 24 Parganas duo, and the bustling capital Kolkata. Their northern counterparts will focus on Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and the Dinajpur districts.
Expect intensive sessions with administrative and law enforcement heads in these regions, probing everything from EVM deployment to polling booth security. CEO Manoj Agarwal’s ongoing district tours have already set a strong foundation, but this ECI intervention adds an extra layer of assurance.
Never before have ECI representatives descended on West Bengal districts in this manner during recent cycles. It’s a clear message: the commission is leaving no stone unturned to deliver elections that are transparent, fair, and free from disruption.
Phase one on April 23 targets 152 constituencies in northern and select southern pockets. Phase two on April 29 shifts to Kolkata-centric areas and surrounds. With results due May 4, all eyes are on a poll process that could redefine the state’s political landscape.
