The Election Commission of India has put in place extensive security measures for the third phase of Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday.
As many as 2,830 booths out of 7,360, nearly 39 per cent, have been designated as sensitive, the highest among the first three phases.
This phase will see Bengal’s four constituencies — Jangipur, Murshidabad, Malda Uttar and Malda Dakshin — spanning Murshidabad, Malda and parts of Nadia, going to the polls.
In the first phase, 837 (nearly 14 per cent) out of 5,814 polling stations were identified as sensitive. In the second phase, the sensitive tag applied to 1,697 (nearly 32 per cent) out of 5,298 polling stations.
According to EC sources, the third phase presents a significant challenge to the poll body not only because of the high number of sensitive booths but also because of the history of violence in Murshidabad during recent elections.
Based on EC data, Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district stands out as the most vulnerable, with 762 out of 1,851 polling stations (nearly 41 per cent) considered sensitive. Following closely behind is Malda Dakshin, where 702 out of 1,746 booths (40 per cent) are sensitive. Additionally, Murshidabad has 715 sensitive booths out of 1938 polling stations (36 per cent), while 651 out of 1,825 polling stations in Malda Uttar are tagged sensitive.
“There is a history of violence during elections in Murshidabad. Hence, the commission is not taking any chances. Apart from deploying maximum central forces in the district, the commission has taken several corrective measures to make the election in the two constituencies in Murshidabad peaceful,” a senior EC official in charge of the security arrangement during the election said.
Murshidabad has witnessed a history of election-related violence.
The commission is leaving nothing to chance. It has deployed 184 of the 406 companies of central forces solely for Murshidabad district.
Among these, 64 companies will be stationed in Jangipur seat and 114 companies in Murshidabad seat. An additional six companies will be stationed in Behrampore seat to vote on May 13.
