West Bengal is gearing up for its first phase of Assembly elections, the administration in Cooch Behar has taken stringent steps to ensure that peace prevails during the polls on April 23.
A prohibitory order has been issued by the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. These restrictions bar unlawful gatherings, carrying of arms, use of loudspeakers, bursting of firecrackers, and circulation of provocative content.
Political campaigns will also be stopped near polling places. The area of 100 metre around the polling places will not permit any political activity on the polling day.
In addition, individuals brought into the district for political purposes but not registered as voters have been asked to leave before polling concludes.
“Political functionaries, party workers, procession functionaries, campaign functionaries and similar persons who have been brought from outside the Cooch Behar District and who are not voters in this district, shall not remain within the Cooch Behar District till the conclusion of the voting process on 23 April 2026,” the order read.
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India–Bangladesh border sealed
To tighten security further, the international border in the district has been sealed from April 21.
“With regard to the international borders with Bangladesh, movement of all unauthorised persons and vehicles for exit to Bangladesh, as well as entry into Indian territory, shall remain restricted from 06:00 AM on 21 April 2026, in order to ensure free, fair, and peaceful conduct of the election and to prevent any interference with the polling process,” the order read.
Authorities have warned that any violation will invite legal action. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to enforce the order strictly.
"All law enforcement agencies within the district are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with this order," it read.
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When and how Bengal will vote
The elections in West Bengal will take place in two phases, on April 23 and 29. The campaigning for the first phase comes to an end today, which means that the silence period begins from now until the completion of the voting process. Election results are expected to be declared on May 4.
Cooch Behar, which consists of nine Assembly constituencies, will be voting in the first phase. Elections in West Bengal can be described as a battle between Trinamool Congress, the ruling party, and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In the 2021 Assembly election, conducted in eight phases due to the pandemic situation, Trinamool Congress gained a clear majority, while BJP became the main opposition party, winning 77 seats.
