ECI holds meeting on assembly elections amid demand for increased Central forces for Bengal

The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Monday, held a crucial meeting with the West Bengal chief electoral officer, along with top election officials of the states where assembly elections are to be held later this year.

Although the schedule has not yet been announced for the polls, the ECI has repeatedly consulting with the officials on the security measures and other related matters to be taken for the upcoming assembly elections.

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According to sources, during the meeting, discussions were held on whether the number of phases for the voting in West Bengal could be reduced. Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal Manoj Aggarwal is said to have requested for an increase in the number of Central forces from that deployed for the last assembly elections.

A West Bengal BJP leader stated, “The Election Commission will determine the number of Central forces to be deployed during the assembly elections. However, we demand sufficient Central forces for Bengal during the voting period.”

Earlier, former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said that it is not advisable to keep the Central forces outside the booths as it would amount to compromising on the security. Hence, they must be stationed inside the polling booths.

Election officials from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, in addition to Bengal, were present at the meeting.

According to ECI sources, the commission will finalise the number of Central forces to be deployed for the elections based on number of sensitive polling booths. Discussions were also held regarding the reduction of polling phases in Bengal.

It is noteworthy that the number of assembly seats in West Bengal is 294. In the elections of 2021, voting took place in eight phases, with a distinct number of Central forces deployed in each phase. According to sources from the commission, the total number of sensitive booths will determine the final count of Central forces to be deployed by the ECI.

Meanwhile, responding to the request for an increase in the Central forces, state Trinamool Congress leaders said, “In 2021, Central forces were also deployed. No matter how many Central forces are deployed, the people of Bengal stand with and will continue to stand with Mamata Banerjee.”