West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, assured that the Election Commission of India had taken necessary measures to conduct the state’s polling fairly while upholding law and order. Agarwal emphasized the importance of maintaining a democratic spirit during the electoral process.
The Trinamool Congress has hinted at requesting a recount in constituencies where the victory margin is under 1,000 votes. Agarwal explained that recounting procedures are strictly regulated by established rules and will be followed diligently.
Initial counting trends revealed the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in a significant number of constituencies compared to the ruling Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. Data from the Election Commission website showed BJP candidates ahead in 173 constituencies, with the Trinamool Congress leading in 85 seats out of 261 recorded trends.
Agarwal announced that the winning party must obtain permission from the district magistrate and electoral officer before organizing victory processions in districts. He urged all political parties to maintain decorum post-results, emphasizing that victory or defeat should not escalate into violence.
To prevent post-poll violence, the Election Commission decided to retain 700 central force companies in West Bengal indefinitely. Additionally, repolling in the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district is scheduled for May 21, with results to be declared on May 24.
