31 companies of BSF to be deployed during Bengal civic polls today

‘To be redeployed from within the administrative district’

: In the wake of large scale violence during the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) polls, State Election Commissioner S.R. Upadhyay said that 31 companies of Border Security Force (BSF) would be deployed during the polls in 91 municipalities across Bengal.

The forces will be engaged in ‘area domination’ rather than marking particular booths, Mr Upadhyay added.

However, the forces are not coming from outside the State, but will rather be “redeployed from within the same administrative district,” the officials said.

The announcement comes a day ahead of elections in 91 municipalities across the State.

The State Election Commission faced severe criticism following reports of large scale low intensity violence, booth capturing, jamming and proxy voting in KMC polls last Saturday.

The Opposition called the polling process ‘a farce’ and targeted the Commission for not seeking Central assistance to ensure fair elections.

“During the civic polls in the districts, 31 companies of BSF would be deployed in Siliguri, Malda, North and South Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts,” Mr. Upadhyay told journalists here on Friday. He added the Union Home Ministry had informed the Bengal government about the deployment. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed the additional deployment.

“Today the State Government received communication about the Central forces being deployed during the civic polls. It has been said that they would perform patrolling duties and will not be deployed in polling booths,” she said.

About 73.94 lakh voters will decide the fate of 7,636 candidates in 18 districts across Bengal, barring Kolkata, on Saturday. There are 3,951 poling premises housing 8,756 polling stations.

The Left Front demanded to know how the Chief Minister could make an announcement about the deployment of Central forces in the civic polls which is controlled by the West Bengal State Election Commission.

Forces will be engaged in area domination rather than marking particular booths

S.R. Upadhyay

State Election Commissioner