Overview
- The Election Commission has notified a two‑phase induction of central forces: 240 companies on March 1 and another 240 on March 10, preceding the poll schedule and model code of conduct.
- District allocations in the first tranche put North 24 Parganas at the top with 30 companies, followed by Murshidabad with 16, South 24 Parganas and Howrah with 15 each, and Purba Medinipur and Hooghly with 14, covering 35 police districts and commissionerates.
- The March 1 deployment comprises 110 CRPF, 55 BSF, 21 CISF, 27 ITBP and 27 SSB companies, with each company directed to have at least 72 personnel.
- Forces will conduct area‑domination and confidence‑building exercises, support poll duties and guard EVM strong rooms and counting centres through the election process.
- The Commission is weighing the number of polling phases based on CAPF availability after consulting the Home Ministry, with an internal estimate that roughly 2,500 companies would be required for a single‑phase election; the state’s ruling TMC says it is unfazed.