Kolkata, 22 April (H.S.): All preparations have been completed for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, which will be held on Thursday under tight security arrangements. The Election Commission has confirmed that polling will take place in 152 Assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts.

According to the Commission, around 36 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase. Nearly 44,000 polling stations have been set up, where the voting process will begin from the morning.

This phase is being viewed as politically significant, with a keen contest expected among the ruling Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Left parties, Congress, and several regional outfits. In many constituencies, a direct fight is likely between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, while triangular and multi-cornered contests are expected in others.

Polling on Thursday will be held in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur districts.

These constituencies include border regions of North Bengal, tribal-dominated belts, tea garden areas, rural zones, and several urban pockets, making this phase crucial in electoral terms.

A total of 1,478 candidates are in the fray, including several ministers, former legislators, prominent leaders, and new faces. Voters will decide their electoral fate on Thursday.

-------

Unprecedented Security Arrangements

The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements for the polls. A total of 2,407 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed across the state, comprising more than 240,000 personnel.

Additional surveillance will be maintained in polling stations, sensitive areas, and border districts.

Quick Reaction Teams have also been formed to respond immediately to any complaint, tension, or violence. The Commission has identified 7,384 polling booths as highly sensitive or critical.

These booths will have extra security deployment, webcasting facilities, video monitoring, and special observers.

-------

Special Facilities for Voters

Several voter-friendly measures have been introduced. A toll-free helpline number, 18003450008, has been launched for complaints and assistance.

Special arrangements such as ramps, priority queues, wheelchairs, and Braille-enabled Electronic Voting Machines have been made for differently-abled and senior citizen voters.

Drinking water, shaded waiting areas, and help desks will also be available at polling stations.

-------

Voter List Revision Becomes Major Political Issue

The special revision of electoral rolls has emerged as a major political controversy in the state.

The Trinamool Congress has alleged that names of members of a particular community and its supporters were removed from the rolls. On the other hand, the BJP has defended the exercise, saying it was necessary to identify and remove fake voters.

Sources said nearly 9.1 million names were deleted from the rolls due to death, relocation, duplication, or defective records, while new voters were added.

An Artificial Intelligence-based verification system was also reportedly used to detect discrepancies in names, age, and family details, which has triggered further debate.

-------

All Eyes on Turnout Trends

Political observers believe the first phase could shape the direction of the overall election.

All parties will closely watch turnout patterns in North Bengal, border districts, tea garden regions, rural belts, and minority-dominated areas.

While the Trinamool Congress will seek to retain its existing support base, the BJP is aiming to gain momentum through a strong performance in North Bengal and border constituencies. Left parties and Congress are also hoping to make an impact in selected seats.

With all arrangements in place, the administration is focusing on ensuring peaceful, free, and fair polling. Attention now turns to the voters, who will take part in the first phase of this crucial democratic exercise on Thursday.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh