The first phase of voting is taking place in West Bengal today, for which tight security arrangements have been made. This time, along with the police, central forces are also present in large numbers. Security preparations have been made for the assembly elections to be held in Tamil Nadu today. 5.73 crore voters will participate in this big festival of democracy. A total of 4,618 candidates including political parties and independents are in the fray in this election.
The Commission has completed all preparations for peaceful voting in Bengal. A total of 2,407 teams of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed. Webcasting arrangements have been made at all polling stations. The Commission made it clear that attempts to create obstacles for voters to reach polling stations will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against all miscreants.
Due to close contests on many seats, the first phase is being considered the most decisive part of the elections. This phase is also taking place amid the controversy regarding amendment in voter list (SIR). Talking about important seats in the first phase, there are many seats in Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, North Cooch Behar, South Cooch Behar, Raiganj, Islampur, Balurghat, Malda and Murshidabad. Besides, important seats like Asansol, Bankura, Purulia and Baharampur are also included.
Among the popular seats, voting is also going to take place in the first phase in Nandigram. Nandigram had become the most important seat last year. Because in the 2021 Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was fighting with BJP's Subhendu Adhikari. This time also the competition between the two is taking place, but in Bhawanipur. Shubhendu Adhikari is contesting elections from both Nandigram and Bhawanipur. Similarly, the fate of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary in Baharampur, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh in Kharagpur Sadar and Aam Janata Unnayan Party leader Humayun Kabir in Domkal seat is also to be decided in the first phase.
Videos of central forces coming from Bengal are going viral. Among these, there is also a video in which CRPF armored vehicles are seen on the roads. If someone throws stones or throws petrol bombs, then in such a situation these vehicles act as armor for the soldiers. Such strong deployment of central forces at the time of elections in Bengal remains a topic of political discussion.
BJP is saying that the Election Commission deployed the central force for protection from TMC goons. Whereas TMC is raising questions on the deployment of Central Force in such large numbers. Voting is taking place on 152 seats in the first phase in West Bengal, for which the Election Commission has deployed 2407 companies of CAPF. This means that approximately 2.5 lakh paramilitary personnel will be present on 152 seats.
There are 3.4 crore voters in Phase One and about 2.5 lakh CAPF jawans, if we make a rough estimate, one jawan will be deployed for every 100 to 130 voters. Talking about the area, maximum companies are deployed in Kolkata Police area. After this comes East Bardhaman, Hooghly, Barrackpur, Krishnanagar and Howrah.
Sources said that even after the voting is over, about 500 companies will remain deployed in the state under security arrangements. Central forces come under the Union Home Ministry. These include CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles. Perhaps that is why a lot of politics is being done regarding the deployment of such a large number of central forces in Bengal.
There is a history of election violence in West Bengal. Perhaps that is why the security forces deployed on the instructions of the Election Commission have removed such armored vehicles.
About 75,032 polling stations have been set up across Tamil Nadu. Of these, 5,938 polling stations located at 3,022 places have been declared sensitive. Armed paramilitary forces and Tamil Nadu Special Police Force have been deployed at these centers to prevent any untoward incident.
About 1.47 lakh security personnel, including police, paramilitary forces, fire department, jail department, forest department, home guards and retired soldiers, have been deployed across the state on the day of voting. Apart from this, about 23,000 paramilitary personnel from about 295 companies of central security forces have reached Tamil Nadu. This includes 26,203 inspectors, sub-inspectors, special sub-inspectors and 94,598 head constables and policemen.
Similarly, 12,150 Special Commando/Additional Force personnel are also engaged in security duty. In the capital Chennai district, except Avadi and Tambaram city police, 1.17 lakh police personnel will be deployed for security in 38 districts and 7 metropolitan police areas. Apart from this, apart from paramilitary forces and police, around 20,000 retired soldiers, retired policemen and retired forest guards have also been deployed for election duty.
On the day of voting, Special Forces personnel in 514 vehicles will patrol the entire state. If there is any problem at any polling station, they will immediately reach there and maintain law and order. Apart from this, quick reaction teams in 1,100 vehicles led by DSP, ADSP, SP, DIG, IG and Police Commissioners will also be deployed on security duty.
