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Bengal Polls: CAPF Deployment May Double for Single-Phase Election

The Election Commission is considering a proposal to hold the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections in just one or two phases, a significant reduction from the seven to eight phases seen in recent polls. This condensed schedule would require doubling the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces to approximately 2000 companies to ensure security. A key advantage of fewer phases is preventing political parties from moving supporters between areas to intimidate voters. The final decision rests on the Commission's ability to arrange the substantial security forces needed for such a condensed electoral process.

Key Points: Bengal Assembly Polls May See Doubled CAPF Deployment

  • CAPF deployment may double to 2000 companies
  • Aiming for single or two-phase polling
  • To prevent outsider voter intimidation
  • Past elections averaged 1000 companies over 7-8 phases
2 min read

Bengal Assembly polls: CAPF deployment likely to be double compared to past four elections

West Bengal elections may require 2000 CAPF companies for a single or two-phase poll, double the past average, to curb voter intimidation.

"If the Commission can ensure that arrangement, the idea of a single-phase or two-phase poll is quite feasible - CEO Office Sources"

Kolkata, Jan 6

The deployment of Central Armed Police Forces personnel for the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal later this year might be double, compared to what it was during the past four elections in the state, including Assembly elections in 2016 and 2021 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and 2024.

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, attended a meeting chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at the Election Commission of India's headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, where one of the main agenda issues was in relation to the CPAF deployment for Assembly polls in the state this year.

As per the requirement presented by the CEO, West Bengal at the meeting, the Assembly elections this year might require a total deployment of 2,000 companies of CAPF, considering the suggestion to conclude the polling in one or a maximum of two phases, sources in the CEO's office said.

"In the last four elections, the average CAPF deployment was 1,000 companies, as the number of phases of polls in those four previous polls ranged from seven to eight. However, if the suggestion from the CEO's office to complete the election this year in one or two phases is accepted by the Commission, then the requirement will naturally double at 2,000 companies," sources in the CEO's office said.

The CEO's office sources pointed out that the eventuality of a single-phase or two-phase poll in West Bengal will have both its advantages and disadvantages.

"The advantage is that political parties will not be able to mobilise their supporters from one pocket to another and thus address the traditional complaint of outsider mobilisation on the polling day or the day before that, intimidating the voters," sources in the CEO's office pointed out.

However, that single-phase or two-phase polling would require a larger deployment of CAPF, especially on the polling day. "If the Commission can ensure that arrangement, the idea of a single-phase or two-phase poll is quite feasible," the sources said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While security is important, 2000 companies is a massive deployment. It feels like we are preparing for a war, not an election. The cost to the exchequer must be enormous. Is this the only solution to ensure free and fair polls? 🤔
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Aman W
Good move! Completing the election in 1-2 phases will stop the "seasonal migration" of political workers from one constituency to another after each phase. This outsider mobilisation has been a big problem. Let the local people decide in peace.
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Sarah B
As an observer, it's concerning that a state in India needs such heavy paramilitary presence for a democratic exercise. It speaks volumes about the political culture there. Hope this ensures a smoother process.
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Vikram M
The logic makes sense. Fewer phases means you need all the security in place at once, not spread over weeks. My only request to the CAPF jawans: please be impartial and protect the democratic spirit. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Nisha Z
This is a welcome step, but it's a sad commentary on the state of our politics. We should have evolved beyond needing central forces to conduct our own elections. When will our political leaders learn to respect the process?

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