In a statement to the media, Agarwal emphasized that there will be no instances of bogus voting or disruptions.
“We have made comprehensive arrangements. Solutions are in place for every potential issue that may arise,” he stated.
“The electoral process is being uniformly managed throughout the state and is not treated separately in phases,” he added.
Reflecting on the first phase of polling conducted on April 23, Agarwal noted that the voting was peaceful thanks to the collaborative efforts of the administration, police, central forces, political parties, and voters.
“Preparations have been significantly bolstered for the final phase,” he remarked, mentioning his visits to various districts and sensitive areas for a thorough review of readiness.
“There is tremendous enthusiasm among the public to vote. The 93% turnout in the first phase has set a new standard, and many are determined to exceed that figure in the second phase,” he said.
Regarding incidents of unrest prior to the elections, Agarwal acknowledged that such events are not unusual and were observed before the first phase, but that the situation remained under control on polling day.
He assured that the state police and central forces are well-prepared to sustain law and order and guarantee peaceful voting.
Officials reported that a total of 3,21,73,837 individuals — comprising 1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women, and 792 voters from the third gender — are eligible to cast their ballots across 142 assembly segments in seven districts during the second phase.
Polling will occur at 41,001 stations, all receiving webcasting coverage. Additionally, 2,321 companies of central forces have been deployed, with the largest presence of 273 companies in Kolkata, they stated.
Returning officers have been instructed to ensure the secure movement of polling personnel from booths to receiving centers immediately after voting concludes, they added.
Agarwal mentioned that the deployment of central forces for the second phase commenced on Sunday, noting that there had previously been a relative shortage of these forces.
“Miscreants took advantage of that situation, resulting in incidents of unrest and intimidation,” he commented.
A total of 142 general observers, 95 police observers, and 100 expenditure observers have been assigned, and drones with cameras will be employed to oversee the polling process.
There are 1,448 candidates contesting in this phase, with Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district fielding the highest number at 19, and Goghat in Hooghly district having the fewest at five.
Notable candidates in this phase include Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, along with state ministers Sujit Bose in Bidhannagar, Firhad Hakim in Kolkata Port, Jyoti Priya Mallick in Habra, Bratya Basu in Dum Dum, and Sovandeb Chattopadhyay in Ballygunge, as well as BJP candidates Arjun Singh in Noapara, Swapan Dasgupta in Rashbehari, and Rudranil Ghosh in Shibpur.
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Additional candidates include CPI(M)’s Minakshi Mukherjee in Uttarpara, Dipsita Dhar in Dum Dum Uttar competing against state minister Chandrima Bhattacharjee, Kalatan Dasgupta in Panihati against BJP’s Ratna Debnath, mother of the doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and ISF MLA Nawsad Siddiqui in Bhangar.
In response to queries concerning the alleged attack on TMC MP Mitali Bag, Agarwal stated, “Three aspects are emerging from the incident. In some areas, it is being interpreted as an intra-party conflict. Reports have been submitted by the district magistrate and the police. The EC will review all reports and the entire situation before making a statement.” In the first phase, polling took place for 152 seats across 16 districts on April 23, with a recorded voter turnout of 93.19%, the highest in the state’s history.
