The Election Commission has decided to significantly increase security arrangements for the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal by deploying around 3,000 additional armed police personnel from other states. This move comes ahead of the first phase of polling scheduled for April 23 and is aimed at ensuring that voting takes place peacefully across sensitive areas. 

According to a senior official, the additional forces will mainly come from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. These personnel will supplement the already large presence of central forces in the state. The decision has been taken considering the sensitive nature of the elections and the need to maintain strict law and order during the polling process. 

“Given the sensitivity of the elections, it has been decided to augment the existing forces with around 3,000 armed police personnel from other states. A large contingent of the additional forces will be drawn from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh,” the official told PTI. 

The deployment will begin in a phased manner, with personnel expected to start arriving in West Bengal from April 13. This gradual deployment is part of the Commission’s broader plan to strengthen security before the voting begins. The presence of these forces is expected to improve confidence among voters and ensure that polling is conducted without disruption. 

The Election Commission has already planned a large-scale deployment of central forces across the state. Around 2,400 companies of the central forces are set to be stationed in West Bengal for the elections. The addition of 3,000 armed personnel will further strengthen the security setup and help the authorities manage any potential law and order issues. 

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Commission rejected a request made by former Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar. He had sought exemption from his new assignment as a police observer in Tamil Nadu, citing medical reasons. However, the Commission did not accept his plea and directed him to take charge immediately. 

Sarkar has been appointed as a police observer for several constituencies in Tamil Nadu. These include Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Palayamkottai, Nanguneri, and Radhapuram. The role of a police observer is considered important in ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and that security arrangements are properly implemented on the ground. 

“The request for exemption has not been accepted, and he has been asked to report for duty immediately,” an official said. 

The Commission’s decision to deny the exemption request highlights its strict approach during the election period. It shows that officials assigned to election duties are expected to carry out their responsibilities without delay. This step also reflects the Commission’s focus on maintaining discipline and efficiency in election-related work. 

Overall, the enhanced deployment of armed personnel and the strict handling of administrative matters indicate that the Election Commission is taking extensive measures to ensure peaceful and fair elections in West Bengal. With a large number of forces already in place and more being added, the focus remains on preventing violence and ensuring smooth conduct of the voting process.