As West Bengal gears up for its two-phase Assembly elections, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer has rolled out sweeping restrictions aimed at ensuring peaceful and transparent polling. The first phase of campaigning concluded on Tuesday, with political discourse dominated by contentious issues such as dietary practices, cross-border infiltration, the uniform civil code, and revisions to electoral rolls.
Liquor Ban Spans Both Phases Of Voting
Among the most stringent measures is a comprehensive ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol. In districts going to polls in the first phase, the restriction began on Monday and will remain in force until midnight on April 23, the day voting takes place. For the second phase, the prohibition resumes from 6 p.m. on April 25 and continues until midnight on April 29, creating an overlap between the two phases, as per reports.
Additionally, alcohol sales will remain suspended on May 4, when counting of votes is scheduled. While alcohol consumption is often viewed conservatively in several parts of the state, political parties are unlikely to foreground the issue in their campaigns. In fact, a senior leader from the All India Trinamool Congress remarked that the restriction could inadvertently work in their favour among sections of voters who consume alcohol.
Two-Wheeler Movement Curtailed To Prevent Malpractice
The Election Commission of India has also imposed tight controls on motorcycle usage, citing concerns over their misuse in electoral malpractices. Authorities noted that bikes are often used to transport cash or liquor through narrow routes, bypassing security checks, and sometimes to intimidate voters.
Under the new guidelines, bike rallies are completely prohibited. Night-time movement of motorcycles has been banned, and carrying pillion riders during the day is largely disallowed. Exceptions have been made only for essential needs such as medical emergencies, school travel, and family-related obligations. On polling day, however, limited relaxation will permit pillion riding between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to facilitate voters.
Tourists Asked To Leave Digha
In a move aimed at preventing overcrowding and possible misuse of tourist inflow, authorities have directed visitors to vacate Digha, one of the state's most popular coastal destinations. Hotels in Purba Medinipur district have been instructed not to accept bookings from outsiders during the election period.
These steps are intended to reduce non-essential movement and maintain tighter control over the region during polling.
High Stakes Voting To Begin On April 23
The first phase of voting is scheduled for April 23, covering 152 constituencies across northern districts and parts of southern Bengal. According to official figures, around 3.60 crore voters are eligible to participate, including 1.84 crore men, 1.75 crore women, and 465 individuals from the third gender category.
With heightened security and strict enforcement measures in place, authorities are aiming to conduct the elections smoothly while minimizing any disruptions or irregularities.
HM Amit Shah pitches industry revival, jobs push in Bengal poll campaign
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly elections in the state this month, one of the top priorities of the new state government would be to bring back those industrial entities and business establishments which have shifted to other states during the last 15 years of the Trinamool Congress regime, allegedly because of the extortion syndicates run by leaders of the ruling party.
"The biggest problem in West Bengal is unemployment, and that is primarily because of the lack of adequate industrial activities and large-scale investments in the state. If the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, it will set up four new industrial townships in different parts of the state. The industrial entities that were forced to shift to other states because of the extortion syndicates run by leaders of the ruling party will be persuaded to return and will be brought back to West Bengal," the Union Home Minister said while addressing a campaign rally at Habra in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday.
Speaking further on the occasion, he also launched a scathing attack against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for the latter's recent comments where he described the Prime Minister as a "terrorist".
"The Prime Minister, who had virtually ended terrorism in the entire country, is now being termed as a terrorist. I think that because of his association with Rahul Gandhi, a veteran leader like Kharge has started making such baseless and irresponsible statements. Now the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, is an ally of the Congress at the national level. Does her party deserve any votes? If the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, the roots of terrorism from the state will also be eliminated like in other parts of the country," HM Shah said.
Later, while addressing another election rally at Saptagram in Hooghly district, the Union Home Minister said that the BJP had plans to reserve 33 per cent of state government jobs for women if it comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly elections.
"At the same time, making the state free of illegal infiltrators will be one of our core missions and priorities. These illegal infiltrators are taking away employment opportunities from the local youth of the state. But Mamata Banerjee remains silent on this issue, since these illegal infiltrators are her dedicated vote banks," HM Shah added.
