The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved the initial deployment of 480 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies to strengthen security arrangements to an unprecedented level ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. The decision, announced on February 20, aims to establish field supremacy, restore voter confidence and ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process, especially the security of EVMs, strong rooms and counting centres.
This deployment will take place in two phases. By March 1, 240 companies will reach the state, including 110 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 Border Security Force (BSF), 21 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 27 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 27 Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). In the second batch, an additional 240 companies will be sent by March 10, which will include 120 CRPF, 65 BSF, 16 CISF, 20 ITBP and 19 SSB companies.
This massive deployment has received the approval of the Home Ministry, while the movement and deployment of forces will be coordinated by the CRPF. The state administration has been directed to prepare a detailed deployment plan in coordination with the CAPFs and the Chief Force Coordinator. Each company will have nine sections. Eight will be reserved at polling stations and one for Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and observation works.
The Commission has instructed all the districts to identify sensitive and hypersensitive booths and areas. Based on the violence in the last elections and the daily law and order situation, seven districts, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum, have been considered highly sensitive.
The voter list is to be released after Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on February 28. There is a dispute between the Trinamool Congress government of the state and the ECI regarding this process. On February 20, the Supreme Court intervened, citing lack of trust and unfortunate allegations and counter-allegations, and ordered the deployment of judicial officers. The court has entrusted the responsibility of coordination to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Calcutta, so that the complaints of names missing from the draft voter list can be resolved.
Such a large number of central forces are being deployed in the wake of incidents of violence in seven major elections held in West Bengal since 2014. 1,100 companies were deployed in eight phases for the 2021 assembly elections. This time, the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer is advocating voting in one or maximum two phases, which may require an estimated 2,000 companies. The final decision will depend on the availability of forces.
The ECI has indicated that deployment of additional forces may also be considered after reviewing the ground situation, so that the election process is conducted in a fair, free and peaceful manner.
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