Though there has been a significant reduction in phases compared to earlier elections, the state is witnessing an unprecedented deployment of central security agencies with new and unique Election Commission measures aimed at the strict imposition of rules.

The poll schedule has been compressed to just two from eight phases in 2021 and six in 2016, where the first phase was divided into two days in the latter.

This time, a close contest is expected in at least 80 seats in this phase between the ruling Trinamool Congress and main challenger Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In some, a multi-cornered contest may be witnessed with the Left Front and Congress having parted ways and the entry of religion-based organisations.

The seats, going to polls on Thursday, are spread across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur.