Kolkata, 18 April (H.S.) : Ahead of the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal will undertake an aerial survey of key districts by helicopter to review poll preparedness across the state.

According to sources in the Election Department, the decision has been taken to ensure inspection of all crucial areas within a limited time frame.

Officials said the proposed tour on April 20 and 21 will cover several districts, including Paschim Medinipur, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur and Cooch Behar. A senior official said the Chief Electoral Officer would directly assess ground-level arrangements, including preparedness at polling stations, security measures and administrative coordination.

Nearly two decades ago, in 2006, then Chief Electoral Officer Debashis Sen had also conducted a similar aerial inspection before elections. Until now, Manoj Kumar Agarwal had been visiting districts by road, but the process was proving time-consuming.

The Election Commission is maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure peaceful, free and fair polling in the state. During previous elections in West Bengal, incidents of clashes, explosions and violence had been reported in several districts. Following the 2021 Assembly elections, major political controversy also erupted over post-poll violence in districts such as South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Murshidabad and Malda.

However, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, polling in the state was comparatively peaceful, with no reported deaths linked to election-related violence. The Commission is aiming to maintain similar conditions during the 2026 Assembly polls.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has directed all officials deployed on election duty to strictly follow the Commission’s guidelines. He has warned that any deviation under political pressure or influence would invite strict action.

District Superintendents of Police have also been instructed to take immediate and firm measures at the first signs of violence.

The Chief Electoral Officer’s upcoming tour is being seen as part of a comprehensive review of security and administrative preparedness across West Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh