During the fourth phase, there were scattered incidents of violence from most of the eight constituencies that voted on Monday.

The EC has decided to increase the deployment of Central forces by 30-32 per cent in the fifth phase, said sources, adding it will be the highest force concentration in this election, outnumbering the fourth phase when the EC deployed over 500 companies in eight constituencies. In the fourth phase, over 500 companies of central forces were deployed with a total of 30,009 state police.

Also, there are less number of constituencies going to polls in the fifth phase. Seven constituencies — Serampore, Hooghly and Arambagh in the Hooghly district; Barrackpore and Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district, and Howrah and Uluberia in Howrah district — will vote on May 20.

According to sources, out of the seven constituencies, Barrackpore and Bangaon will be under special scanner of the Chief Electoral Officer for different reasons.