Unprecedented security measures are in place for the conduct of third phase Assembly polls in West Bengal on Wednesday. Voting will start at seven in the morning in 75 seats spread over Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas districts. Over one crore, forty-four lakh voters will decide the political fate of 479 candidates including 46 female candidates.The Election Commission has already appointed S. Srinavasan, the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha as a Special observer to monitor the poll process. Moreover, 50 general observers, 11 expenditure and two police observers have also been appointed to keep a tab on electioneering. Briefing the media about Wednesday's arrangements, the Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said in Kolkata that apart from photo identify card, voters will be allowed to cast their ballot after showing any of the 13 alternate documents like passport, pan card, driving license and bank passbook. He said, more than 17,700 polling booths have been set up in the three districts and over 85,000 polling personnel are being deployed.About 900 polling staff have already reached for flung areas like Sunderban in Sangar Islanads. Mr.Gupta said, for free and fair poll, 1249 digital cameras and 641 video cameras are also being installed, while webcasting will be done at maximum number of places. About 2200 micro observers have also been deployed to oversee the poll process. A senior Police official said that strict security measures are being taken for smooth conduct of poll. Besides the state police and state armed police about 6000 para military forces are being deployed and each booth will be manned by the central forced, 6000 booths have been identified as sensitive, while in Kolakta all polling centers have been declared super sensitive.In Kolkata part from 70 companies of central forces, over 16000 police are being drafted. Moreover, 225 special police pickets are being set up at strategic locations. Inter state borders and international border with Bangladesh have been sealed. AIR correspondent reports that strict vigil is being kept at all entry points to Kolkata, besides a round the clock patrolling on Hoogly river.
News On AIR | April 26, 2011 7:32 PM
Unprecedented security measures in place WB polls