ECI to deploy central forces in West Bengal from March 1

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy central armed police forces (CAPF) in West Bengal from March 1, 2026, likely ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the Assembly elections in the poll-bound State.

About 480 companies of forces will be deployed in two phases in West Bengal by March 10. In the first phase, about 240 companies of CAPF will arrive in the State on March 1. The remaining 240 companies will be deployed on March 10.

Sources at the Commission said that the early deployment of CAPF was a confidence-building measure for the electors of West Bengal. The deployment of CAPF has often been a subject of political debate, particularly due to the high incidence of political violence in the State. Earlier on several occasions including during the local polls, the Trinamool Congress has opposed the deployment of central forces.

The letter sent by the Union Home Ministry to the State’s Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and State Director General of Police regarding the deployment of CAPF gives a break up on the central forces deployed on March 1. In the first phase about 110 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 companies of Border Security Force (BSF) , 27 companies of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 27 companies of Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) and 21 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), will reach the State by March 1.

In the second phase, the deployment will comprise 120 companies of CRPF, 65 companies of BSF, 20 companies of ITBP, 19 companies of SSB and 16 companies of CISF.

After the completion of special intensive revision (SIR), the final electoral rolls of West Bengal is scheduled to be published on February 28. Since the deployment will be made on the very next day, it is not likely that the dates of the elections will be announced in the State before March 1.

In the 2021 Assembly polls, which was held in eight phases, about 1,100 companies of CAPF were deployed.