Kolkata: West Bengal’s final phase of assembly elections is underway amid one of the most extensive security deployments seen in recent years, covering 142 constituencies across seven districts.
More than 2.3 lakh personnel from Central Armed Police Forces, supported by 38,297 state police, have been deployed to ensure peaceful voting. The Election Commission has also stationed 142 general observers, 95 police observers and 100 expenditure observers, alongside teams from the National Investigation Agency in sensitive areas.
The build-up to polling saw an intensified crackdown, with authorities making over 800 arrests in a single night earlier this week. In the past 72 hours, more than 2,300 individuals identified as potential troublemakers have been detained under Election Commission directives, while hundreds of non-bailable warrants have been issued.
Kolkata has witnessed the highest concentration of forces, with thousands of personnel guarding over 5,000 polling booths. Districts such as East Burdwan and Hooghly Rural have also seen heavy deployment due to their history of electoral tensions.
Out of more than 41,000 polling booths, nearly 12,000 have been categorised as critical. Quick-response teams have been positioned in vulnerable pockets, particularly in South 24 Parganas and East Burdwan.
The presence of central agencies, including NIA teams in districts with past extremist incidents, reflects heightened vigilance. Authorities say the objective is clear: to ensure a free, fair and fear-free voting process under strict surveillance and tight security control.
