The Election Commission (EC) has ramped up its oversight in West Bengal as political parties engage in campaigning for the upcoming Assembly elections. Senior police officials are conducting ground-level reviews, visiting police stations to assess preparedness and security arrangements. Concurrently, enforcement agencies have reported significant seizures of assets, indicating a push to curb potential electoral malpractice.
Around 480 companies of central forces are already deployed in the state, with an additional 2,000 expected to arrive in phases. These measures are in line with the EC's directive to ensure a free and fair electoral process. Police commissioners and superintendents of police are reportedly briefing station officers on guidelines to maintain law and order and prevent irregularities.
The BJP delegation has submitted a petition to the EC, alleging that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is intimidating voters. Union ministers and party leaders were part of this delegation, which urged the EC to intervene.
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Cumulatively, since the election announcement, enforcement agencies have seized ₹181 crore worth of cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and other "freebies." This effort is aimed at curbing the "misuse of money power in elections."
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly comprises 294 seats. The primary political contest is anticipated between the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The voter rolls indicate a significant electorate, including 6.45 crore electors in total, with over 5.23 lakh young electors aged 18-19.
Separately, in Puducherry, the Congress and DMK have finalized a seat-sharing agreement, allocating 15 seats to each party. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin has filed his nomination from Kolathur, and actor-politician Vijay has also entered the fray by filing his nomination from Perambur. The DMK has unveiled its election manifesto, focusing on welfare measures. The AIADMK has also made promises, including free refrigerators for ration cardholders if voted to power. In Assam, PM Modi has expressed confidence in a "BJP-NDA hat-trick." In Kerala, political sparring continues, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accepting a challenge for a public debate from Congress leader V.D. Satheesan.
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule for five states: Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on April 9; Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes for West Bengal is scheduled for May 4.
The EC is emphasizing strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to ensure transparency and prevent undue influence on the electorate.
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