3.21 Crore Voters to Decide Fate of 1,448 Candidates in Bengal

Campaigning for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections ended on Monday evening, marking the beginning of the mandatory silence period ahead of polling.

Voting in this phase will be held on Wednesday, April 29, across 142 constituencies spread over seven districts.

A total of 3,21,73,837 voters are eligible to cast their votes. This includes 1,57,37,418 women voters, 1,64,35,627 male voters, and 792 third-gender voters.

Officials said that, in line with directions of the Supreme Court of India, the Appellate Tribunal is expected to publish a revised voter list after considering applications from those excluded during the Special Intensive Revision process, which may marginally alter the figures.

A total of 1,448 candidates are contesting in this phase, including 220 women candidates.

Kalyani Assembly constituency is the largest constituency by area, while Jorasanko Assembly constituency is the smallest.

Chinsurah Assembly constituency has the highest number of voters at 2,75,715, while Bhatpara Assembly constituency has the lowest at 1,17,195.

Security arrangements include deployment of 2,321 companies of central forces, along with 142 general observers, 95 police observers, and 100 expenditure observers.

A total of 41,001 polling stations will be set up, comprising 39,301 main booths and 1,700 auxiliary booths. Of these, 14,218 are in urban areas and 25,083 in rural areas.

There will be 8,845 women-managed polling stations, 298 model booths, and 13 polling stations managed by specially-abled personnel.

Leaders of various political parties held rallies, meetings, and roadshows on the final day of campaigning to woo voters.