Kolkata, Apr 22: The stage is set for polling in 152 Assembly constituencies across 16 districts of West Bengal on April 23, under unprecedented security arrangements.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), there are 3,60,77,171 registered electors, comprising 1,84,99,496 male voters, 1,75,77,210 female voters, and 475 third gender voters. Special categories include 4,025 voters aged 100 or above, 2,04,618 voters aged 85 or above, 43 Non-Resident Indian voters, and 69,468 service voters.

A total of 1,478 candidates are contesting, with 1,311 male and 167 female candidates. Notably, Cooch Behar (Dakshin), Karandighi, and Itahar constituencies have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while Chandrakona has the fewest at five.

Polling will take place in districts including Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North and South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, West Bardhaman, and Birbhum. Seven districts are under special security watch.

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There are 44,376 polling stations, with 41,418 main and 2,958 auxiliary stations. Of these, 5,487 are in urban areas and 35,931 in rural areas. Webcasting will be conducted at all polling stations.

Security deployment includes 2,407 companies of central forces, alongside state police and Kolkata Police. The second phase of polling will be held on April 29, and results will be declared on May 4.