West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal has vowed a peaceful, transparent vote-counting process starting Monday at 8 am. He announced a massive security deployment of 200 CAPF companies and a three-tier security system at all counting centres. Agarwal also warned officials of accountability if anyone tries mischief or disrupts counting.
A day before vote counting for West Bengal Assembly elections, a commotion erupted in Asansol when a switched off mobile phone was found inside an envelope near the strongroom. Reports say the envelope also contained documents, triggering heightened security scrutiny and raising questions about how it reached the area amid tight election procedures.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Kolkata Police has imposed Section 163 of the BNSS across seven areas of West Bengal where ballot papers and EVMs are stored, ahead of vote counting for the state assembly elections. The move restricts gatherings and rallies in these zones to maintain security and prevent disturbances around election materials as counting approaches.
West Bengal’s second phase of assembly voting is underway with extensive security arrangements in place across the state. Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal said polling has been peaceful and expressed confidence that voter turnout may surpass the first phase. With logistics, staffing, and monitoring set for a smooth process, officials are urging continued participation as the day’s polling progresses.
Tension erupted during West Bengal Assembly elections Phase 2 in Bhangar and parts of South 24 Parganas, with ISF accusing TMC workers of intimidating polling agents and voters. Reports of vote rigging and agents being driven out surfaced from Bhangar and Canning Purba. Central forces and NIA teams were deployed, while the TMC denied the allegations.
Special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma toured South 24 Parganas during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, focusing on sensitive Diamond Harbour. Despite protests from TMC and a High Court move, Sharma coordinated with central forces to prevent intimidation. CRPF Director General also visited to review security measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful, transparent poll.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
West Bengal goes to the second and final assembly voting phase on Wednesday, with ballots cast across 142 constituencies spanning South Bengal and Kolkata. Key candidates including Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari will be on the ballot as more than 32 million voters are expected to participate. Authorities have deployed central police forces and quick response teams to manage a tight, high-stakes day.
Ahead of phase two assembly polls in West Bengal, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer said local administration is monitoring sensitive areas and that there is “nothing to hide” because everything is recorded. He urged voters to stay tension-free, citing a mix of police and CAPF presence, with officials reportedly going on on-ground observation to ensure issues are addressed promptly.
A PIL has been filed in the Calcutta High Court demanding action over West Bengal’s deteriorating law-and-order ahead of Phase 2 assembly elections. The move follows violent incidents and heightened tension during the first phase, with nearly 3,000 crude bombs reportedly recovered across sensitive districts during pre-poll security sweeps, raising fresh concerns about election safety.
The Election Commission of India has ordered West Bengal Police to run a 24-hour operation to arrest people involved in bomb-making and seize all explosive materials. The ECI warned officers that they would face “unprecedented consequences” if any threatening items are found. The National Investigation Agency will probe all such cases, with the directive aimed at ensuring election-related security.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
Voting is underway in West Bengal’s first phase for 152 Assembly constituencies, with more than 3.60 crore eligible voters. Security has been intensified with extensive central forces across sensitive areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor C. V. Ananda Bose urged citizens to vote. The phase is widely seen as pivotal for BJP and TMC as major leaders are in the fray.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.