Vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections commenced on Monday under a stringent three-tier security arrangement, with results being declared for 293 constituencies across 23 districts.
Special Election Observer Subrata Gupta confirmed that no victory processions will be permitted following the announcement of results. “Giving law and order situation top priority, the Commission has decided not to allow any victory procession across the state. Central forces and state police personnel have been asked to patrol the areas known to be sensitive zones,” said Gupta.
He also said, “We are continuously receiving reports from all counting centres. Due to stringent security measures, there was a slight delay in counting agents gaining entry.”
Addressing allegations regarding the temporary shutdown of CCTV cameras at certain locations, Gupta clarified that all complaints had been examined. “In some instances, CCTV cameras remained non-functional for about 5 to 10 minutes due to technical glitches. In many cases, the systems had shifted into ‘sleep mode.’ Returning officers promptly reached the sites and resolved the issues,” he added.
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Earlier in the day, State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal visited his office ahead of the counting process and assured that all arrangements were in place. “There are 458 counting centres operational today. Impregnable security arrangements have been deployed at every centre,” he said.
Meanwhile, from the strong room in Tamluk, the BJP lodged a complaint alleging that its representatives were being denied entry. Responding to the concern, Agarwal assured that steps were being taken to address the issue. “There is ample time, and all authorised individuals will be granted entry,” he said.
Central forces, along with state police, have been deployed extensively outside counting centres across districts, including Kolkata, to ensure law and order. Following the counting of postal ballots, the process of tabulating votes from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is currently underway.
To maintain peace in the vicinity of counting centres, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been imposed within a 200-meter radius. Restrictions on vehicular movement have also been enforced, with security personnel actively patrolling sensitive areas.
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