Central forces start arriving for Bengal polls

Keeping its promise, the Election Commission has sent the Central paramilitary forces to Bengal much before the formal announcement of the Assembly election, displaying its resolve to ensure a free and fair polls.

Emphasising the importance of what he described as “ethical voting”, additional chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar on Tuesday said that the EC was committed to ensure that people exercised their franchise fearlessly. “One hundred companies of the Central paramilitary forces will be deployed in the state as a part of confidence-building measures in the first phase. The forces have already started arriving and in some districts they have already carried out area domination exercises. After March 7, even more companies of the Central forces will come and begin route marches in every district,” Mr Sarkar elaborated.

According to sources, by the time the election begins, the state may receive over 600 companies of the Central forces.

He also informed that the district election officer (DEO) in consultation with SPs would deploy the Central forces and would submit a report to the EC every day on its deployment. The Election Commission will launch an “aggressive campaign” asking people to “Vote Din Nirbhaye, Bibechanar Sathe” (Vote Without Fear or Favour) once the notification for the polls is issued.

“Our preparations are in full swing and we are conducting regular video conference with DEOs. We are monitoring the situation in every district and have also completed the training for returning officers. The EC will start the awareness campaign as soon as the poll notification is issued,” Mr Sarkar added. EC officials held a high-level meeting with ADG (law and order) Anuj Sharma and ADG (armed police) Ranvir Kumar where they discussed among other matters, the deployment of the Central forces. The police administration has been asked to send reports to the EC at regular intervals.

On law and order situation in the state. The paramilitary forces, which were scheduled to arrive on March 1 and 2, have reached much in advance to launch confidence-building measures and carry out area domination in sensitive pockets. “The presence of the Central paramilitary force much before the polls will instil a sense of confidence among voters,” Mr Sarakar added.

Four companies of the Central forces have conducted route march in Golpark, New Alipore and Alipore areas in the city. Two companies each were sent to Jaipaiguri, Alipurduar and South Dinajpur while four companies of the Central forces were sent to Malda. One company of the Central force was sent to Bankura.

The number of voters now stands at 6,55,46,101 — an increase of 20,50,386 since January. “3.17 per cent of total voters belong to the 18 to 19 age group. The gender ratio has also improved. Today, we have 933 female voters per 1,000 male voters. Earlier, it was 925. There will be 77,247 polling stations in the state with over 6,600 sectors.