Deployment of 150 Security Companies for Upcoming Bengal Elections
Synopsis
In a significant move ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the deployment of 150 additional security companies, ensuring a robust security presence as per the Election Commission's directives.
Key Takeaways
150 additional companies of security forces will be deployed for the elections.
The total deployment will now consist of 2,550 companies for each phase.
Deployment includes forces from CAPF, IRB, and state police.
Security for EVMs and counting centers will be ensured post-polling.
The CRPF will oversee the movement and coordination of forces.
Kolkata, April 8 (NationPress) On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed the West Bengal government that in compliance with the directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI), an additional deployment of 150 companies of security forces will be made for each of the two phases of the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state. This will include personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and armed police contingents from various states.
Previously, on March 20, the ECI announced that a total of 2,400 companies of security forces, comprising CAPF, IRB, and armed police units from other states, would be deployed across the two phases of the Assembly elections in West Bengal.
With the recent communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the total number of forces assigned for each of the two phases will now reach 2,550.
Among the additional 150 companies, 95 will come from CAPF, while the remaining 55 will be sourced from IRB and armed police contingents from other states.
Specifically, of the 85 CAPF companies being deployed, 32 will be from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 from the Border Security Force (BSF), 6 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and 2 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The other stipulations from the ECI's announcement on March 20 will remain unchanged. Following the conclusion of polling in the second phase on April 29, 200 companies of CAPF will stay in the state to ensure the security of electronic voting machines (EVMs), strong rooms, and counting centers until the vote tallying is finalized.
Additionally, 500 companies of CAPF will be maintained for law and order duties and to mitigate potential post-poll violence, which had surged following the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The remaining 1,700 companies of CAPF, IRB, and state armed police will be withdrawn after polling ends on April 29.
The deployment and movement of the CAPFs will be overseen by the CRPF. Inspector General CRPF (West Bengal Sector), Shalabh Mathur, has been designated as the State Force Coordinator for the state elections.
Point of View
It’s evident that the deployment of security forces is a crucial step to maintain order during the elections. With a focus on ensuring a smooth and secure voting process, this measure reflects the government's commitment to upholding democratic values and voter safety in West Bengal.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many companies are being deployed for the elections?
A total of 150 additional companies will be deployed for each of the two phases of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
What types of forces are included in the deployment?
The deployment includes personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and armed police from other states.
What will happen after the polling ends?
After polling concludes on April 29, 200 companies of CAPF will remain for security purposes until vote counting is complete.
Who is coordinating the deployment of CAPFs?
The movement and deployment of CAPFs will be coordinated by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Why is the deployment important?
The deployment is crucial for ensuring security, preventing post-poll violence, and protecting electoral integrity during the elections.
