ECI puts additional police observers on job for second phase polls
The Statesman | 27 April 2026
After successfully conducting the first phase of the election in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India, to make the second phase scheduled on 29 April violence and intimidation free, has deployed 11 more police observers in the state.
The move comes as part of efforts to tighten surveillance and prevent any recurrence of sporadic disturbances reported during the first phase.
According to Commission sources, the decision to increase the number of police observers aims to eliminate even the slightest possibility of unrest in the upcoming phase of polling.
Earlier, the commission had deployed 84 police observers in West Bengal which is already higher than in previous elections.
With the addition of 11 more observers ahead of the second phase, the Commission has further intensified monitoring.
Sources in the Commission said that sensitive areas have been identified, and instructions have been issued for enhanced vigilance.
All newly-appointed police observers will be drawn from outside the state, while their security will be handled by the state police.
Polling for the first phase was held on 23 April across 152 constituencies, while the remaining 142 seats will go to polls on 29 April.
The first phase was largely peaceful, witnessing a record voter turnout of 92.88 per cent.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar congratulated voters, stating that such a high turnout had not been seen in the state since Independence.
He also urged voters to participate in even larger numbers in the second phase.
However, some incidents of scattered violence were reported during the first phase. Allegations ranged from obstruction of polling agents and malfunctioning EVMs to preventing supporters of certain political parties from casting their votes.
Union home minister Amit Shah said that the BJP had flagged several such issues before the Commission.
There are also claims from a section that the high turnout was influenced by concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with fears that non-participation could lead to deletion of names. Many migrant voters are also reported to have returned to cast their votes.
This election marks a departure from previous trends, with polling being conducted in just two phases after a long time.
On the day of announcing the schedule, the ECI had asserted that despite fewer phases, all measures would be taken to ensure a peaceful election.
In line with that commitment, a general observer has been appointed for each of the 294 constituencies, alongside an increased number of police and expenditure observers.
The addition of more police observers after the first phase underscores the Commission’s focus on ensuring a free and fair second phase of polling.