Before announcing W.B. poll dates, EC members to assess ground situation in the State from March 8

All members of the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, are likely to arrive in poll-bound West Bengal on March 8 to take stock of the situation on the ground before announcing the dates of the Assembly election.

Commission members will hold meetings with State election officials and law enforcement officials, such as senior police officials and district magistrates, on March 9 and 10. They will focus on logistical arrangements, security deployment, and administrative preparedness for the polls. 

They are also likely to meet all recognised political parties planning to contest the upcoming State Assembly election. 

CCTV outside poll booths

The Commission comprises the CEC and two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti will also be part of the delegation to West Bengal.

Poll officials will also identify vulnerable and high-tension areas and deploy additional forces to ensure a smooth and transparent election process in the State. According to sources, the ECI is also looking at installing CCTV cameras outside polling booths, along with the cameras already present inside the booths, to facilitate immediate action in case of any adverse situations. 

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, along with other State poll officials and law enforcement officials, have already held virtual meetings with ECI officials in Delhi, on March 2 and 3. According to sources in the office of the CEO, one of the key issues discussed at that meeting was to ensure that all polling booths get an uninterrupted power supply and a stable internet connection during poll days. 

Central forces start route marches

The State election is likely to be held sometime in April, though the exact dates and number of polling phases are yet to be announced. 

Central security forces started route marches in Kolkata on Wednesday (March 4). So far, 240 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have arrived in the State and another 240 companies will arrive by March 10. 

The city of Kolkata alone will get 30 companies of Central forces, the highest in the State. On Wednesday, route marches were seen in Girish Park, Muchipara, and Taltala in north and central Kolkata, and Rashbihari and other areas in south Kolkata.