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ECI Sets 294 General Observers for Bengal Polls, Expands Security and Webcasting

The push concentrates resources in districts flagged as high risk due to border proximity or recurring poll violence.

Overview

  • One general observer will be posted to each of West Bengal’s 294 assembly constituencies, with expenditure observers expected to rise to about 100 from 84 in 2021.
  • Around 480 companies of Central Armed Police Forces are already deployed statewide under the Election Commission’s security blueprint.
  • The Commission will implement 100 percent webcasting at every polling station, with live feeds extended outside booths for the first time.
  • Police observers are slated for a sharp increase to roughly 100 or more, with the Commission moving to grant them final authority over CAPF movement within districts.
  • Sensitivity mapping is guiding deployments, with Murshidabad, Malda and Cooch Behar highlighted for both Bangladesh border exposure and prior poll violence.