Election Commission to deploy 2,400 central forces companies in Bengal for peaceful polls

In a significant move, the Election Commission has decided to deploy 2,400 companies of central armed police forces in West Bengal to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling in the upcoming assembly elections.
The move is being seen as one of the most comprehensive security arrangements in the state's electoral history, aimed at preventing violence during and after the two-phase elections on April 23 and 29.
According to sources in the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)'s office, the deployment process has already begun, with 480 companies of central forces having arrived in the state earlier this month. The remaining 1,920 companies will be sent in the coming weeks in a phased manner to strengthen security in both sensitive and non-sensitive areas.
As per the deployment schedule, the next batch of 300 companies is expected to arrive by March 31. This will be followed by further deployments on April 7, 10, 13, and 17.
Sources said that 300 companies each will arrive on April 7 and 10, followed by 277 companies on April 13 and 743 companies on April 17, which will complete the total deployment before polling begins.
CEO office sources also said that around 500 companies of central forces will remain deployed in the state even after the elections.
The move has been taken to prevent any kind of violence after the declaration of election results, as the state has witnessed post-poll violence in the past.
The Election Commission has also taken several unprecedented measures to strengthen security arrangements. Central forces will not be limited to just polling stations but will have the authority to intervene anywhere within the polling station premises in case of any disturbance.
Officers said that re-polling can also be held in affected booths if complaints of voters being intimidated or threatened are received outside polling stations. The commission has made it clear that electoral malpractices such as booth capturing, rigging, and violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, security agencies have identified sensitive and so-called trouble-prone areas in the state. Around 30 companies have already arrived in Kolkata, and route marches have begun in different parts of the city to build confidence among voters.
The police have prepared detailed route maps, giving special attention to sensitive areas. As officers step up efforts to ensure a smooth and violence-free electoral process, similar route marches and security drills are expected to be held in other districts in the coming days.