The second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal is scheduled to take place on April 26, 2024. The constituencies of Darjeeling, Balurghat, and Raiganj will witness multi-cornered contests with a total of 47 candidates in the fray, including three women. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has designated 98 percent of the polling stations in these constituencies as critical, warranting the deployment of central forces. A total of 73 companies of central forces will be deployed in Balurghat, 111 companies in Raiganj, and 88 companies in Darjeeling, with each company comprising 10,501 personnel. Additionally, 12,983 state police personnel will be deployed during the second phase of the elections.
The Darjeeling constituency has 14 candidates contesting, with 1,999 polling stations and 408 sensitive booths. A total of 1,76,5,744 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this constituency. The Balurghat constituency has 13 candidates in the fray, with 1,569 polling stations and 1,79,0,245 voters. The Raiganj constituency has the highest number of candidates with 20 in the fray, 1,730 polling stations, and 308 sensitive booths. A total of 1,56,1,966 voters are eligible to vote in this constituency.
Among the prominent candidates, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar is contesting from the Balurghat constituency, while BJP MP Raju Bista is seeking re-election from the Darjeeling constituency. TMC has fielded Krishna Kalyani, a former BJP MLA, as its candidate in the Raiganj constituency. BJP’s Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma is contesting as an independent candidate in Darjeeling.
The ECI has taken all necessary measures to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the elections. The deployment of central forces and the designation of critical polling stations are aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing any untoward incidents. The results of the second phase of the elections will be declared on May 2, 2024, along with the results of other phases.
