Kolkata North Parliamentary Constituency Sees High Alert for Polling
The Election Commission of India has taken a significant step ahead of the upcoming elections by designating a substantial number of polling booths in the Kolkata North parliamentary constituency as 'super sensitive'. This move comes amid heightened concerns over potential electoral disturbances and issues with voter lists.
Massive Scale of 'Super Sensitive' Designation
Out of the total 1,835 polling booths under the Kolkata North constituency, the EC has identified 837 booths as 'super sensitive'. This figure represents approximately 45.6% of all booths in the area, indicating a high level of vigilance required. Smita Pandey, the District Election Officer for Kolkata North, confirmed these numbers on Monday, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Key Factors Behind the Designation
According to Pandey, several critical factors contributed to this decision. A primary concern is the deletion of names from electoral rolls during the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) exercise. On hundreds of these booths, 150 or more names were removed, raising fears that disenfranchised residents might protest or cause trouble.
Other factors include:
- Trouble-mongering and potential for law violations
- Booths located in densely populated areas, which are harder to secure
- Historical data on electoral misconduct
Among the seven assembly constituencies under Kolkata North, Shyampukur has the highest number of such booths, with 80 classified as 'super sensitive'.
Enhanced Security Measures and Enforcement
To ensure free and fair elections, the EC is implementing robust security protocols. Pandey announced plans to deploy drones in the densely populated lanes of northern Kolkata for aerial surveillance. This technology aims to monitor activities and prevent any untoward incidents.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, who attended a press conference with the DEO, detailed additional measures:
- Route marches by police and paramilitary personnel as a confidence-building exercise
- Preventive arrests of individuals with potential to disrupt the polls
- Seizure of unaccounted-for cash and other items to curb illegal influence
In Kolkata South, District Election Officer Randhir Kumar reported that over 400 out of 1,093 polling stations in four assembly constituencies have been identified as 'critical' or 'vulnerable'. Enforcement agencies there have seized unaccounted cash and items valued at Rs 8.9 crore, including Rs 80 lakh recovered recently. Additionally, 32 arms and 83 rounds of ammunition were confiscated to maintain law and order.
Paramilitary Deployment and Overall Preparedness
Kumar further stated that around 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed across the city to bolster security. This deployment is part of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that voting proceeds smoothly without intimidation or fraud.
The EC's proactive approach underscores the challenges in urban constituencies like Kolkata, where high population density and political sensitivity necessitate extraordinary measures. With these steps, authorities aim to uphold the integrity of the democratic process and address voter concerns effectively.
