• Source:JND
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Bengal, Tamil Nadu Voting: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed its preparation to hold polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on Thursday. West Bengal will undergo the first phase of voting, while Tamil Nadu will witness single-phase polling. Politically, both states are crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it is attempting to dislodge the ruling parties, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and MK Stalin's DMK in Tamil Nadu.

Unprecedented Security In West Bengal

The West Bengal Police and Central forces made unprecedented security arrangements across 152 constituencies in 16 districts to avoid poll violence, where the voting will take place. The EC directed the West Bengal assembly election candidates not to leave their respective constituencies from 6 am on April 23 until the voting concludes.

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Approximately how many voters are expected to participate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections?

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According to a guideline, candidates must remain within their constituencies during voting hours and refrain from engaging in any activity that could disrupt the electoral process, the official said

Bengal CEO Eases Bike Curbs

The poll body partially relaxed restrictions on motorcycle movement during the polling period for voting, allowing office-goers travelling on two-wheelers to commute on the production of valid identity cards. Accordingly, the Kolkata Police on Tuesday issued a notification stating that no motorbike rallies will be allowed from April 27.

Foreign Delegation Observes Poll Preparedness In Siliguri

Meanwhile, a 13-member delegation from seven countries visited Siliguri in the northern part of West Bengal on Wednesday to observe the poll preparedness on the eve of the first phase of the voting. The delegation, comprising representatives from Namibia, Georgia, Nepal, the Philippines, Gambia, Switzerland and Kenya, accompanied officials of the Election Commission to the Distribution-cum-Reception Centre (DCRC) at Siliguri College ground.

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Over 5.73 Cr Voters To Decide Fate Of 4,023 Candidates In Tamil Nadu

On the other side, over 5.73 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of 4,023 candidates in the fray for the crucial Tamil Nadu Assembly elections amid tight security and a massive crackdown by election authorities to prevent inducements to influence voters.

The high-stakes contest primarily pits the DMK-led SPA against the AIADMK-led NDA, with Chief Minister M K Stalin seeking to retain power and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami fighting to return to the treasury benches after five years.

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Highlighting the importance of youth participation, Patnaik noted that 14,59,039 first-time voters have been enrolled. "The voting will take place across 75,064 polling stations situated in 33,133 locations, with the Commission deploying 1,06,418 ballot units along with 75,064 control units and VVPAT machines. To prevent any technical delays, a reserve of 20 per cent for EVMs and 30 per cent for VVPATs has been maintained," the CEO added.

Cash, Liquor, Drugs Worth Over Rs 1,000 Cr Seized In Tamil Nadu, West Bengal

The Election Commission of India said officials in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal seized cash, liquor, drugs and other inducements worth over Rs 1,000 crore, a day ahead of Assembly elections in both states. According to an official press note, the total seizures in the two poll-bound states have reached Rs 1,072.13 crore since the activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26. In an official press note, the poll body said that extensive enforcement measures were taken to ensure free and fair elections.

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"Multiple review meetings with the Chief Secretaries, CEOs, DGPs, and senior officers from the poll-going states/UTs and their bordering states/UTs, along with the Heads of Enforcement Agencies and directed them to ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections," it said.

The ECI emphasised that it has taken proactive steps to tighten surveillance across both states. "Over 5,011 Flying Squad Teams and 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed" to monitor suspicious activities and ensure swift response to complaints, the Commission noted.

Officials added that these teams are conducting surprise checks and setting up checkpoints across key locations. Complaints are being addressed within a strict timeline of 100 minutes.

According to the data, total seizures stood at over Rs 472.89 crore in West Bengal and over Rs 599.24 crore in Tamil Nadu.

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In West Bengal, cash seizures stand at Rs 27.48 crore, while liquor confiscations total 39,31,463 litres, valued at Rs 102.45 crore. Drugs worth Rs 108.11 crore have also been seized, alongside precious metals valued at Rs 55.88 crore. In addition, freebies and other inducement-related items account for the largest share, valued at Rs 178.84 crore.

In Tamil Nadu, cash seizures amount to Rs 100.19 crore, while 1,17,713 litres of liquor have been confiscated, valued at Rs 3.85 crore. Drugs worth Rs 76.72 crore have also been seized, along with precious metals valued at Rs 159.31 crore. Additionally, freebies and other inducements account for the largest share at Rs 259.14 crore.

(With Agencies Inputs)

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