Overview
- The Election Commission said Wednesday it will deploy 2,407 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) for the April 23 first phase covering 152 assembly seats, with the second phase on April 29 and counting on May 4.
- Murshidabad is set to receive 316 CAPF companies, split between the Murshidabad police district and Jangipur, after recent communal clashes and other law-and-order flashpoints raised its risk profile.
- East Midnapore and West Midnapore follow with heavy allocations, and urban hubs like the Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate also get large contingents, while the hill district of Kalimpong sees the smallest presence.
- Forces have begun route marches to reassure voters, and the security plan mixes CAPF units with the India Reserve Battalion, armed police from other states, and West Bengal Police for full coverage on polling day.
- The Commission directed district and police chiefs to inspect past trouble spots, set up mobile, satellite and wireless links at every polling station, run mandatory mock polls with EVM/VVPAT checks, and file real-time issues through the ECInet app, as Kolkata Police move to execute pending warrants.