2,500 companies of forces to be deployed for Bengal polls: CEO

The Election Commission may deploy 2,000 to 2,500 companies of central armed police forces for each phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections to ensure free and fair polling, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, Agarwal said the Commission is prepared to take an unprecedented approach to the deployment of central forces during the two-phase elections.

“Our only target is to ensure free and fair elections. Around 2,000 to 2,500 companies of central forces may be required in each phase,” Agarwal said.

Each company of central forces typically consists of 100 to 135 personnel. He said the forces would play a crucial role in maintaining order on polling day and responding to any disturbance at booths.

“If there is any disturbance at polling booths, the central forces will be responsible for controlling the situation. If they come across any unethical activity, they will immediately report it to their senior authorities,” Agarwal said.

The CEO also made it clear that any misuse of central forces would not be tolerated. “The central forces will work strictly as per law, and any proven negligence or misuse will invite strict action,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a bid to strengthen law-and-order arrangements ahead of the polls, the Election Commission has directed every police station in the State to submit a detailed report on the law-and-order situation in its jurisdiction by Thursday.

The reports must include information on illegal arms in the area, identified anti-social elements and other crime-related data.

“The officer-in-charge of every police station must ensure that the area under his jurisdiction is crime-free. The Commission will provide all necessary support, including deployment of paramilitary forces,” Agarwal said.

He added that strict action would be taken if any poll-related violence occurred despite the directives.

“Even after all assistance, if violence takes place during polling in a particular area, strict action will be initiated against the officer responsible,” the CEO said.

To tighten election monitoring, the Commission has decided to rely heavily on technology-based surveillance during the polls.

According to Agarwal, 100 per cent webcasting will be mandatory in all polling booths.

“Technology-based monitoring is being prioritised this time. Webcasting will be compulsory in all booths. If webcasting stops, polling will be halted. If it remains suspended for more than an hour, a repoll in that booth may be considered,” he said.

For the first time in the state’s electoral history, drones will also be used for surveillance in large gatherings and sensitive areas.

In addition, micro-observers will be deployed in every polling booth to monitor the voting process.

Officials said illegal cash and materials worth around Rs 112 crore have been seized so far in connection with the elections.

Based on the recovery of black money, 55 Assembly constituencies have been identified as vulnerable.

A state-level control centre has been set up at the CEO’s office to monitor the overall election situation.

For the first time, an ‘Observer Cell’ staffed by IAS officers has also been created to review the work of various observers.

Police observers are expected to arrive in the state on Tuesday, a well-placed source in the poll body said.

“Two police observers will be deployed in each of the 28 police districts and six commissionerates, while the number of observers will be increased in Kolkata, considering its size,” the CEO said.

The Commission said each of the 294 Assembly constituencies will have a general observer.

Booth-level officers (BLOs) will distribute voter slips to electors five days before polling, officials said.

Agarwal also said the process of disposing of around 60 lakh pending electoral roll cases is underway.

“Of the nearly 60 lakh adjudication cases, about 20 lakh will be disposed of by Monday. The remaining work is being completed at a rate of around 1.5 to 2 lakh cases daily, and we are trying to finish it before the nomination process for the first phase begins,” he added.

A separate cell has also been set up to facilitate elderly and physically challenged voters, officials said.

The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.