Long-drawn-out polls are not alien to Bengal. Especially in the last few elections. The Assembly elections of 2016 saw the state voting in seven phases as well.
Even though, the Trinamool Congress swept those polls – from the third phase onwards, word was rife in the state, that the TMC was losing perception points to the Left-Congress alliance. The party’s final tally was attributed largely to its excellent booth management at the ground level.
The panchayat polls held in May 2018 were marred by widespread violence both during campaigning as well as during the polls. Over 71,500 armed personnel were deployed.
A multi-phased poll was thus expected.
But what are the implications of such a long-drawn poll process? And how is it being used politically?