The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken strong preventive action ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal by detaining 106 individuals with criminal backgrounds. The overnight crackdown was carried out across three districts that are set to vote in the first phase on April 23. Officials confirmed on Monday that the move is part of a larger effort to ensure peaceful polling.

The detentions were conducted between Sunday and Monday in Cooch Behar, South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad. According to officials from the state Chief Electoral Officer’s office, these actions were taken following specific directions from the ECI. The poll body is increasing surveillance and enforcement measures in constituencies identified as sensitive.

A senior ECI official explained the rationale behind the operation, stating, “This is a targeted preventive action based on identified inputs. The objective is to ensure a violence-free and intimidation-free polling process. Such measures are part of standard protocol in sensitive constituencies.” The Commission has made it clear that such steps are routine in areas where there is a history or risk of election-related violence.

The assembly elections in the state will be held in two phases. The first phase is scheduled for April 23, covering 152 constituencies, while the second phase will take place on April 29 for the remaining 142 seats. The counting of votes is set for May 4. To maintain order during the elections, the ECI has significantly increased security arrangements.

For the first phase, 2,193 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed across all constituencies. Special attention is being given to sensitive and border areas such as Murshidabad, East and West Midnapore, and Junglemahal. Officials also warned that strict action will be taken against local police officers if illegal arms or explosives are found in their areas on polling day. Station house officers and officers-in-charge could face suspension in such cases.

At the same time, concerns have been raised by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party has approached the Calcutta High Court with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The plea claims that around 800 of its workers and leaders may be detained before the elections based on ECI’s directions.

TMC Member of Parliament and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee filed the petition on Monday. The case was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen. The court has admitted the plea, and the hearing is scheduled for April 22, just a day before the first phase of voting.

A spokesperson from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, Debjit Sarkar, supported the move and called for continued strict action. He said, “Action like this should not be a one-time exercise. It must be so strict that it sets a strong example. West Bengal has seen shameful incidents in past elections, including the parading of naked women and murders in rural areas. This must stop permanently, and such stringent action should ensure it never happens again.”

In addition to detentions, the ECI has introduced a new directive aimed at protecting polling agents, also known as Booth Level Agents (BLAs). Under this rule, if a polling agent leaves a booth and does not return within 30 minutes, central forces will be deployed to locate the individual. The process begins with the Presiding Officer reporting the absence. The information is then passed to the Sector Officer, who alerts the central forces. If needed, local police will also assist in tracing the missing agent.

This step has been introduced in response to repeated complaints that polling agents from certain political parties often leave booths after voting begins and fail to return. There have been allegations that such absences are sometimes due to intimidation or forced removal. The Commission clarified that the main purpose of the directive is to find out whether an agent left voluntarily or under pressure. It also aims to ensure that all political parties have their representatives present inside polling booths throughout the voting process.

Officials noted that while Presiding Officers have earlier maintained records of polling agents’ movements, the ECI has now taken a more active approach to address the issue. However, it remains unclear what specific actions will be taken if cases of intimidation are confirmed.

With these measures, the ECI is attempting to strengthen transparency and security during the elections. The focus remains on preventing violence, ensuring fair participation, and maintaining trust in the electoral process across the state.