EC Flags 837 Polling Booths in Kolkata North as Super Sensitive Amid Voter Roll Issues
In a move that adds to the distress of residents in the Kolkata North Parliamentary constituency, the Election Commission (EC) has declared 837 out of 1,835 polling booths as super sensitive. This decision comes after hundreds of booths saw 150 or more voters deleted from the electoral rolls during the Summary Revision (SIR) exercise, raising fears that omitted voters might stage protests.
Officials Cite Multiple Factors for Sensitive Tag
Smita Pandey, the District Election Officer (DEO) for Kolkata North, explained on Monday that the EC was apprehensive about large-scale demonstrations by residents left out of the voter list. "The commission has identified 837 out of the 1,835 booths under Kolkata North Parliamentary constituency as ‘super sensitive'. Out of seven Assembly constituencies under Kolkata North, Shyampukur has the maximum number of such super sensitive booths (80)," she stated.
According to Pandey, the designation was based on several criteria beyond voter deletions, including troublemongering, law violations, and booths in densely populated areas. An EC official acknowledged that the number of super sensitive booths is notably high, constituting approximately 48% of the total booths in the constituency.
Enhanced Security Measures Implemented
To ensure a free and fair electoral process, the EC has also declared 264 polling premises out of 583 across seven Assembly constituencies as super sensitive. Pandey revealed plans to deploy drones in the densely populated lanes and bylanes of northern Kolkata for surveillance. "We are using drones to monitor these areas closely and prevent any untoward incidents," she added.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, who attended a press conference with the DEO, emphasized the commitment to voter safety. "We are coordinating with central force jawans and conducting route marches across the city as a confidence-building measure. Our goal is to create an environment where genuine voters can cast their ballots without fear or intimidation," Nand said. He noted that preventive arrests and seizures of unaccounted cash are underway to maintain poll integrity.
Kolkata South Also Faces Critical Booths
In Kolkata South, Randhir Kumar, the DEO, reported that over 400 out of 1,093 polling stations in four Assembly constituencies have been identified as critical or vulnerable. The Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven Assembly segments, with Bhowanipore, Rashbehari, Ballygunge, and Kolkata Port under Kumar's jurisdiction. The remaining three fall under the DEO of South 24 Parganas.
Kumar highlighted enforcement efforts, stating that agencies 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 have been confiscated. "Around 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in the city to bolster security and ensure a smooth polling process," he concluded.
