Bengal polls: EC to deploy 2,000–2,500 CAPF companies per phase

KOLKATA: The EC is all set to deploy 2,000-2,500 companies of central forces in each of the two-phase elections in Bengal to ensure peaceful and violence-free voting, Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said on Monday. The EC has also decided to monitor the movement of the observers this time.

"For the first time, a dedicated observers' cell will be set up to monitor their movement on a real-time basis. A separate cell will also be set up for receiving public complaints. Anyone can lodge complaints against the observer," Agarwal stated. In addition, the EC also plans to make arrangements for drone monitoring in and around a 1-2km radius of the polling stations, if deemed necessary.

The EC made it clear that swift action will be taken against any kind of irregularity or illegal activity."CAPF is solely responsible for the security of polling stations. They will have to work under the guidelines and behave like disciplined forces. According to the EC's primary calculations, 2,000-2,500 companies of CAPF are required in each phase of elections," Agarwal said.

The commission plans to deploy one general observer in each of 294 constituencies. There will be two police observers in every police district and six police commissionerates, excluding Kolkata.