WB Panchayat Polls: Only 22 Companies Submit Central Forces' Requisition to EC

In a recent development, the Election Commission has received requisitions for central forces from only 22 companies. These 22 companies represent a total of 2,200 personnel, whereas the number of voters exceeds 50 million. However, Opposition parties have claimed that it is inadequate to cover all 61,636 polling booths in the state.

Questions have now arisen regarding the feasibility of ensuring peaceful and fair elections with only 22 companies and their 2,200 personnel.

It should be noted that the Election Commission has not yet made a decision on increasing the deployment of central forces.

In 2013, during the previous state elections, Election Commissioner Mira Pandey had deployed 825 companies of central forces in five phases of voting. Now, the Election Commission is considering deploying only one phase of voting with 22 companies of central forces.

Following a setback in the Supreme Court, the State Election Commission has sent a requisition to the central government for central forces. Each district will receive one company, which means a total of 22 companies have been requested from the central forces. Each company consists of about 100 personnel. The question arises as to how 2,200 personnel of the central forces can provide security for such a large number of voters, which exceeds 50 million. It is clear that the current deployment of central forces is far from adequate to ensure peaceful voting.

Although the State Election Commission has remained tight-lipped on this matter, Rajeev Sinha, a spokesperson, has not made any comments. The entire state has been gripped by a wave of violence since the submission of nomination papers.

Four people have been killed in the clashes, and on Wednesday, another left-wing activist was killed in an ambush. Unrest has been observed in various districts, and the situation remains tense. The situation in the Deganga area has deteriorated, further raising questions about the feasibility of conducting the elections with only 22 companies of central forces.

Although central forces are being deployed for the elections, it is clear that the panchayat polls will see more sides in court.