The Election Commission is confident of conducting the five-phase assembly elections in West Bengal beginning April 17 in a free and fair manner.

• Bengal: An election like never before

Deputy Election Commissioner Ananth Kumar told media persons in Kolkata on Wednesday that during his tour of five districts -- West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, East Midnapore and Howrah -- he and Chief Electoral Officer Debashis Sen instructed district magistrates and superintendents of police to take steps to ensure confidence among the electorate.

In Maoist-hit districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore, central forces will keep vigil during the first phase of election there on April 17.

• 'There is no election in West Bengal'

The telephone numbers of DM, SP, observer, commandant, and police control room will be displayed outside all booths. Border Security Force Inspector General Subhas Goswami will be in charge of the central forces during the elections.

The CEO said that the Commission had taken all steps to strengthen coordination between district control room and the police control room. Expense observers had been asked to monitor police control rooms.

• Vote for me, accused only of murder

Sen said Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan would arrive on Thursday to tour Hooghly and Nadia districts, where the second phase of poll would be held on April 22.

The EC has directed SPs to take action against political party workers for taking away seven EPICs at Krishnanagar in East Midnapore and for use of an unauthorised vehicle by the Trinamool Congress at Salboni in West Midnapore district.

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Complete Coverage: Assembly Elections 2006
Rediff's Assembly Elections blog