Kolkata, March 30 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notification on Monday for the two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal, scheduled for April 23 and April 29.
The notification stated that polling will begin at 7 a.m. on both days. In the first phase, polling will take place for 152 Assembly constituencies, while in the second phase, polling will be held for the remaining 142 constituencies.
On March 15, the ECI announced the schedule for the West Bengal Assembly elections, and the notification for polling was issued on Monday.
While West Bengal will have a two-phase election, Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu will have single-phase elections. Puducherry, a Union Territory, will also have a single-phase election.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the West Bengal finance department also issued a notification announcing holidays on both polling days.
According to the state finance department's notification, since the elections will be held in two phases – on April 23 and April 29 – employees of all government offices, educational institutions, commercial establishments, and industrial units in the respective Assembly areas will be given leave. This order will come into effect under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The state finance department has clearly stated that no organization or employer should prevent employees from exercising their voting rights. Even those who are working elsewhere but are voters in the relevant area should be allowed to vote.
It is also mentioned that legal action will be taken if these instructions are not followed.
In addition, the voting days have been declared as 'dry days', meaning that the sale of liquor will be completely banned on the polling days, so that the election process can be completed peacefully.
According to the administration, this step will help increase voter participation and ensure free and fair elections. It is learnt that the decision to declare this holiday has been taken in compliance with the instructions of the ECI.
