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“All preparation done. ECI polling parties moving to their respective polling stations, crossing rivers by boat to reach riverine areas of 123 Sandeshkhali AC, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal,” the ECI conveyed in a post on X.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal appealed to voters to attend polling booths to cast their ballots.

“It is the Election Commission’s motto that we will allow everyone to vote… All of you should go to your booth and cast your votes… We will take appropriate action wherever violence is reported… We will face all the challenges… We have taken a list of high-rises, and most of them have been accommodated. There will be some booths inside the high rises…” he said.

District Magistrate Shweta Agarwal confirmed that all necessary facilities had been provided at every polling booth.

“There are 16 constituencies here. There are 4,660 polling booths here, and one camera inside and one camera outside is being installed at every booth… We have followed all the guidelines… All kinds of facilities have been provided at every booth… We are fully prepared… Sheds have also been made for people to protect them from the heat… A control room is also being set up,” she added.

The West Bengal Sector CRPF reported on

During the operation, troops interacted with the local population and encouraged them to vote without fear.

In a separate incident, Kolkata Police seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 4,00,000 from a motorcyclist during SST naka checking at Natunhat on Biren Roy Road (West), within Sarsuna Police Station limits in the 154 Behala West Assembly constituency.

The cash, along with the motorcycle and bag, was seized following prescribed Standard Operating Procedures in the presence of an SST magistrate, and further action has been initiated, the police stated.

Kolkata Police also issued a detailed traffic advisory to election movement and polling arrangements.

The notification outlined that restrictions on goods vehicles would be in place on April 28, April 29, and May 4, while several main roads would experience diversions and regulated traffic during polling and counting days.

Vehicular movement on roads including AJC Bose Road, Judges Court Road, Rani Rashmoni Road, Strand Road, Dufferin Road, and sections of Diamond Harbor Road may be restricted depending on deployment needs.

Authorities further stated that only voters would be permitted within 100 meters of polling stations, mobile phones would be prohibited inside booths, and no vehicles except those on election duty would be allowed near counting centers on May 4.

The advisory aims to ensure smooth traffic flow and secure the movement of polling personnel and central forces across the city during the election process.

West Bengal is currently engaged in the second phase of polling scheduled for April 29, with vote counting planned for May 4.

The state recorded a record-breaking 93.2% voter turnout in the first phase, a figure highlighted by both the TMC and BJP as demonstrating a decisive lead.