Security tighten for second phase of polling in Bengal

Security has been beefed-up for the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections in 56 constituencies spread over seven districts on Sunday.

A total of 383 candidates, including 29 women, are in the fray in this phase.

Around 1.21 crore people are expected to cast their votes in five constituencies in Alipurduar, seven in Jalpaiguri, six in Darjeeling, nine in Uttar Dinajpur, six in Dakshin Dinajpur, 12 in Malda and 11 in Birbhum districts at more than 13,600 polling stations, including 311 model booths.

As many as 1,563 micro observers will keep watch during the poling along with the general and police observers.

The state CEO's officer said international connecting borders along with north Bengal districts have been sealed and 800 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has removed some more police officers ahead of tomorrow's polls.

It reshuffled police officials in troubled-zones of north Bengal and Birbhum and put some district level leaders and political activists under surveillance to ensure peaceful and free voting.

Weather officials have warned of heat wave conditions during tomorrow's voting in the entire Birbhum belt and adjoining areas.

However on Friday, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer said instances of advertisements of offending and misleading nature published in the print media have been brought to the notice of the commission in the past.

It said such advertisements in the last stage of elections vitiate the election, and the affected candidates and parties will not have opportunity of providing clarification and rebuttal in such cases.