Election or War? Visuals show battle-like prep of armored vehicles for phase 2 | Watch

Ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh has signaled a massive escalation in security measures by posting a video of a convoy of armored vehicles on his social media handle. With 2,321 companies of troops deployed for the upcoming phase—a significant increase from the first—the Election Commission is doubling down on its "zero tolerance" policy. The move is part of a broader, high-stakes effort to ensure the commission's goal of "100 percent unrest-free voting" across the 142 constituencies heading to the polls.

The scale of this deployment is unprecedented, with DG Singh taking an active role by hitting the ground zero himself. The visual of armored vehicles moving from Kolkata into the districts has created a stark, war-like atmosphere that the force insists is necessary to suppress fear and intimidation in sensitive zones. Beyond the physical troop presence, the Commission has intensified digital surveillance, ensuring that voters will be monitored by CCTV cameras not just inside the polling stations, but throughout their transit to and from the booths.

While the Election Commission and security forces view this "hyper-vigilance" as essential to maintaining order, it has sparked a debate among the public and political circles. Critics argue that the sight of military-grade armored vehicles rolling through civilian areas may unintentionally heighten anxiety, potentially contradicting the "Fear Out, Trust In" messaging utilized by the BJP-led central government.