EC to hold coordination meeting in Kolkata ahead of second phase of Bengal polls

Kolkata, A high-level coordination meeting involving poll officials, police officers and commanders of central forces from three election districts under Kolkata will take place here on Sunday to review preparedness for the upcoming second phase of the West Bengal assembly polls, a senior official said.

The meeting, scheduled at the Dhana Dhanya Auditorium, comes three days before the polling, scheduled on April 29.

"The meeting has been convened to assess the overall preparedness in the election districts under Kolkata and ensure smooth coordination among all agencies involved in the polling process," the official told PTI.


According to the official, the meeting will be attended by the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, district election officers of Kolkata Uttar, Kolkata Dakshin and South 24 Parganas, along with general, police and expenditure observers deputed by the Election Commission.

Company commanders of central armed police forces (CAPFs) and returning officers of constituencies in the Kolkata region are also expected to be present, he said.

"The focus will be on deployment of forces, vulnerability mapping, communication between civil and police administration and the final readiness of polling personnel," the official said.

The review assumes significance as the state recorded a turnout of over 93 per cent in the first phase of polling held on April 23, when voting was conducted in 152 assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts of West Bengal.

Incidentally, the poll body has been holding similar review meetings across the state to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling in the two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal.