Avishek Chy; KOLKATA – The second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is set to take place tomorrow, Wednesday. Official election campaigning concluded on Monday evening at 6:00 PM.
To ensure maximum security during the polls, the international border between Bangladesh and India’s North 24 Parganas district has been effectively closed for three days.
Border Restrictions and Timeline
According to an order issued by Shilpa Gourisaria, the District Magistrate and District Election Officer of North 24 Parganas, the movement of people and vehicles through the international border will remain restricted from Sunday evening (6:00 PM) until the conclusion of voting on Wednesday.
The restrictions have the following impact on major land ports:
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Benapole-Petrapole: Import-export activities and general passenger movement will remain suspended until the end of the polls tomorrow.
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Darshana-Gede: Immigration activities have been suspended since 9:00 AM Monday and will remain closed until tomorrow. Foreign and Bangladeshi passport holders will not be allowed entry during this period.
Key Exceptions
Authorities have clarified that the ban will be relaxed for specific cases, including:
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Patients traveling from Bangladesh for emergency medical treatment.
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Voters belonging to any district in West Bengal traveling to cast their ballots.
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Vehicles carrying perishable essential commodities.
Election Dynamics and Security
Voting will be held across 33 assembly constituencies in the North 24 Parganas district from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Local police chiefs in Basirhat, Bongaon, Barrackpore, and Bidhannagar, along with BSF Battalion Commandants, have been directed to strictly enforce the border seal.
On the final day of campaigning, political heavyweights made their last pitch to voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a public meeting in Barrackpore, while Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath campaigned for BJP candidates.
On the other hand, TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conducted mass outreach programs in Bhawanipore, where she faces a tough challenge from BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
Fast Facts: The Final Phase
| Category | Details |
| Total Seats | 142 Constituencies |
| Districts Involved | Nadia, North & South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, East Burdwan |
| Total Candidates | 1,448 |
| Security Forces | 2,348 companies of Central Forces deployed |
Security is particularly tight in the North and South 24 Parganas districts, where a significant portion of the central forces has been stationed to prevent any electoral malpractice.