The Election Commission of India has confirmed that 2,926 candidates are set to contest in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Phase-II, scheduled for April 29, will see 1,448 candidates vying for victory. In total, across both phases, 2,926 candidates will be on the ballot.
The Commission has outlined that Returning Officers will soon release the official list of candidates in the Official Gazette as per the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. All nomination-related documents will be securely stored for each constituency.
To provide voters with comprehensive information, citizens can utilize the ECINet App’s ‘Know Your Candidate’ section. This feature offers details on candidates’ educational backgrounds, criminal histories, assets, liabilities, and downloadable affidavits.
In a bid to enhance voter experience, the ECI has mandated that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers will display candidates’ colored photographs, names, serial numbers, and party symbols prominently in large fonts.
A recent move by the ECI involved a significant reshuffle within the state police, affecting 30 officers from the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. Notable changes include the appointment of Soma Das Mitra as the new Joint Commissioner (Crime) of Kolkata Police and Sudip Sarkar as the replacement for Joint Commissioner (Headquarters) Miraj Khalid.
The Election Commission had earlier announced the election schedule for several states, including West Bengal, as well as bye-elections in six states.
