In addition to other states in the country, 6 assembly constituencies across five districts of West Bengal will conduct by-elections on November 13. Nonetheless, comprehensive security measures are implemented in each electoral district during the voting process. 108 companies of central forces will also be used for the by-elections in six assembly seats of West Bengal, in addition to other deployed forces. The Election Commission has declared the deployment of central forces.
Even though 89 companies of central forces were previously stationed at these six seats, the BJP had raised concerns about potential violence during the voting process to the Election Commission.
The Election Commission was visited by a group from BJP who requested an increase in the central forces. Following this, the Election Commission declared that the central forces would be increased from 89 companies to 108.
There will be by-elections for 6 seats on November 13. Sitai and Madarihat are some of the places located in North Bengal. Simultaneously, there are by-elections taking place for seats in Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, and Taldangra in South Bengal.
Initially, the Election Commission opted to allocate 89 central force companies for polling in these six constituencies. There were a total of 89 companies, with 24 from CRPF, 30 from BSF, and 12 from CISF. It consisted of 10 IBP companies and 13 SSB companies.
Currently, CRPF has been raised to 5 companies, BSF has been raised to 10 companies, and CISF and ITBP have been raised to 2 companies each.
Three days prior, the state was visited by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During that period, BJP leader Shishir Bajoria had brought up with Amit Shah concerns regarding the state’s law and order situation. He had asked for additional central forces to be deployed for elections that are conducted fairly and without interference. He had shown concern about potential violence during the elections. He claimed that BJP candidates were being harassed.
He had raised concerns with the Union Home Minister regarding the Commission’s involvement in the recent Lok Sabha and by-elections in 4 assembly constituencies. Bajoria acted as the Bengal BJP’s representative in the Election Commission, serving as the coordinator. Three days after requesting additional central forces from Amit Shah, the Commission disclosed the dispatch of 19 more companies of central forces in the by-elections.