Election Commission Of India Flags 7 Districts As West Bengal Polls Open On April 23

With West Bengal preparing for the opening phase of its Assembly elections on 23 April, the Election Commission of India has identified seven districts for heightened security monitoring due to concerns over potential unrest.

The districts under close watch include Malda, Murshidabad, North Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum, West Midnapore and West Burdwan. Of these, three are located in the northern part of the state, while the rest fall in the southern region.

Officials indicated that the classification is based on a long-term assessment of booth sensitivity and incidents of poll-related violence over the past decade and a half.

As a result, these areas will see a heavier deployment of central security forces on voting day.

A significant number of polling stations in these districts have been categorised as either ‘critical’ or ‘hypersensitive’, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and rapid-response readiness.

To maintain order, the Commission has already sanctioned the deployment of 2,193 Quick Response Teams across the 152 constituencies going to polls in this phase.

Murshidabad will likely receive the largest share, with 219 teams assigned to it.

Personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces will staff each QRT, with a police officer supporting navigation and coordination duties.

Security arrangements also include a two-step voter verification process at polling stations, first by central forces and then by the designated booth-level official.

In addition, the poll panel has issued strict instructions to field-level police officers, warning against any lapse in duty.

Officials noted that negligence could invite disciplinary action affecting both service records and post-retirement benefits.

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