With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections on the horizon, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is mulling over a groundbreaking strategy to ensure a free and fair electoral process. In a bid to tackle allegations of proxy voting and impersonation, the poll panel is considering setting up dedicated identification counters outside polling stations specifically for voters with face coverings, such as burqas or veils.

Key Features of the Proposed System: Under the current protocol, face verification happens inside the polling booth in front of polling agents. The new proposal suggests shifting this process to an external counter before the voter enters the booth. These counters will be exclusively staffed by female election officials and Anganwadi workers to respect the privacy and religious sentiments of the voters while ensuring their identities match the electoral rolls.

Why the Shift? The move comes after repeated complaints from various political parties regarding “shadow voting” or duplicate entries. By creating a visible and documented checkpoint guarded by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the EC aims to eliminate any intimidation or interference. This “Pre-entry Verification” is expected to streamline the queue and reduce disputes inside the polling station. While the final guidelines are yet to be notified, this move signals the EC’s zero-tolerance policy towards electoral malpractice in the state.