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West Bengal elections: EC bars 'outsiders' in housing complexes designated as polling booths
Scroll | April 22, 2026 10:40 PM CST

“Outsiders” have been barred from the housing societies designated as polling booths for the West Bengal Assembly elections, The Times of India quoted the Election Commission as directing on Tuesday.

“No outsiders who are not electors of that constituency can stay as guests in residential complexes where booths are located,” the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal was quoted as saying.

The restriction will remain in place until the end of the second phase of voting, added Agarwal.

Polling in the state will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results scheduled to be declared on May 4.

The new curbs came a day after the poll panel announced several restrictions on motorcycles during the night and disallowed tourists from visiting Digha, a popular beach destination in the state.

Additionally, the sale of liquor was also banned on Monday for 96 hours ahead of polling on Thursday. The Election Commission usually mandates a 48-hour ban on the sale of liquor before polling across the country.


Read Scroll’s coverage of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections here.


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