Kolkata, March 23 (IANS). Additional central forces are arriving in West Bengal ahead of the assembly elections. An Election Commission source said on Monday that this time a total of 2,400 companies of central forces will be deployed for the Bengal elections.
It is noteworthy that out of these, 480 central force companies had been deployed in the state earlier this month.
According to reports, 300 more companies of central forces will reach the state by March 31. After this the remaining forces will arrive in a phased manner.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has already held a meeting regarding how and where to deploy this huge security force.
According to reports, another meeting is scheduled for later on Monday. This meeting will be presided over by Deputy Commissioner Manish Garg. It is being told that this meeting will be online.
Apart from Deputy Commissioner Manish Garg, other officials including state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Aggarwal will also attend this meeting.
After this, the Election Commission will hold another meeting with district election officers (who are also district magistrates) and superintendents of police to discuss election security. It is being told that in this meeting the focus will be on preparations for the assembly elections.
Voting in Bengal is to be held in two phases – on April 23 and April 29. The Election Commission has taken several measures to avoid violent incidents in both the phases.
It is reported that this time the action of the central forces will not be limited only to the polling stations, but the central forces have been given the right to intervene if any untoward incident occurs anywhere around the polling area.
Additionally, if credible allegations emerge regarding intimidation or intimidation of voters outside the polling station, re-election may be ordered.
The Commission has clearly stated that incidents like voting rigging, civil unrest or forcible capture of polling stations will not be tolerated.
–IANS
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