With the upcoming second phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls on April 29, the Election Commission of India (ECI) plans to bolster surveillance by installing CCTV cameras on approach roads to critical polling stations. This decision follows reports of voter intimidation outside polling stations during the first phase. The number of CCTV installations will vary based on the sensitivity of each polling station.
To maintain security, a 100-meter radius around polling stations will have entry restrictions for non-voters and voters who have already cast their votes. Even those carrying food or water for electoral officers will need special permissions to enter the polling booths, with thorough frisking procedures in place.
The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has urged voters to participate actively in the second phase of polling and ensure a voting rate exceeding 90%, emphasizing that obstructing voting is unacceptable. The Election Commission has directed central forces to crack down on crude bomb makers in West Bengal before the upcoming polls and to intensify efforts in bomb disposal to prevent any incidents on polling day.
