New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced that a total of 2,926 candidates remain in the fray for the West Bengal Assembly elections after the completion of the nomination withdrawal process.

For West Bengal (Phase-II), which is scheduled to go to the polls on April 29, the last date for filing nominations was April 9, followed by scrutiny on April 10. Candidates were allowed to withdraw their nominations until 3.00 p.m. on April 13.

Following the withdrawal deadline, the total number of candidates has been finalised.

In Phase-I of the West Bengal elections, covering 152 Assembly Constituencies, 1,478 candidates are contesting. In Phase-II, which includes 142 constituencies, 1,448 candidates are in the race. This brings the total number of candidates across both phases to 2,926.

The Commission stated that Returning Officers (ROs) will publish the final list of contesting candidates in the Official Gazette in accordance with the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

Additionally, all documents related to nominations, scrutiny, and withdrawals will be securely sealed and maintained in official custody for each constituency.

ECI added that citizens can access detailed information about candidates through the ECINet App under the ‘Know Your Candidate’ section. This includes data on educational qualifications, criminal records, assets, liabilities, and downloadable affidavits.

In a voter-friendly move, the ECI has also ensured that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers will feature coloured photographs of candidates along with their names, serial numbers, and party symbols in large fonts to facilitate ease of voting.

Meanwhile, the ECI on April 11 ordered a large-scale reshuffle within the state police. A total of 30 officers from the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police, ranging from Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank to inspector level, were transferred.

Among key changes, Rupesh Kumar, who was holding additional charge as Joint Commissioner (Crime) of Kolkata Police, has been replaced by Soma Das Mitra, formerly DIG of the Criminal Investigation Department. Similarly, Joint Commissioner (Headquarters) Miraj Khalid has been replaced by Sudip Sarkar, previously serving as DIG (Personnel) in West Bengal Police.

The ECI had on March 15 declared the schedule for General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states.

–IANS

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