Security in Kolkata and other centres across the state has been heightened on the eve of the counting of votes for the 294 constituencies in the high-stakes West Bengal Assembly election. On May 4, it will be known whether the Trinamool Congress or the BJP will rule the state for the next five years.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a record fourth consecutive term in office, while the BJP is aiming to come to power in the state for the first time.The results will be declared on Monday amid rising tension, optimism and keen interest in Kolkata and other parts of the state on the eve of counting at 77 centres.Mamata has instructed her cadres to keep a strict vigil outside the strongrooms where the EVMs have been kept at these centres. She has alleged that attempts could be made by the BJP to tamper with the EVMs and has declared that she will “fight till the end” to prevent any such malicious intentions.Meanwhile, the Election Commission has decided to hold a repoll in all 285 booths of the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas. Repolling was held in 15 booths of Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies of the same district on Saturday.Repolling in Falta will be held on May 21 and the result will be declared two days later. Some TMC leaders in Falta were arrested after local people held demonstrations against them for intimidating voters. The repolling in Falta will not have any significant impact on the election results that will be out tomorrow. However, the victory can add to the overall tally of seats of either the TMC or the BJP.As part of the heightened security at the counting centres, the state administration has banned the assembly of five or more people within 100 m of counting centres’ periphery.The political drama surrounding the election has drawn the attention of people in West Bengal and beyond over the past few days, as tensions have risen with large numbers of Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters gathering and engaging in sporadic clashes outside the centres.Guarding of the strongrooms has become a major political issue between the TMC and BJP amid allegations that the election results could be manipulated.The EC has appointed observers at the centres, and the deployment of large contingents of central and state police forces to prevent any untoward incidents has only added to the rising tension.Mamata, who remains popular among a large section of voters, is also facing a strong anti-incumbency factor after 15 years in power. She has cited the SIR, which excluded nearly 27 lakh voters from the electoral rolls, and has leaned on the plank of “Bengali Asmita” and the perceived threat to it if the BJP comes to power, to rally voters.The BJP tried polarising voters on the lines of Hindus and Muslims and promised to change the face of Bengal with all-round development if it came to power.A number of other factors simmering beneath the surface, such as the jute and potato crises, women’s safety, the alleged politicisation of the state administration and police force and rampant corruption, could play a significant role in deciding the outcome.Alternatively, Mamata may rely on her popular image, welfare schemes for the poor and economically weaker sections and claims of political stability as key achievements to regain voters’ trust and confidence.Whether voters continue to repose faith in her leadership or are desperate for a change will be known tomorrow.