Heavy security planned across North Bengal and sensitive districts ahead of April 23 voting
Kolkata, April 15: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finalised a large-scale security deployment for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, with 2,407 companies of central armed forces set to be stationed across key districts.
Polling for Phase 1 is scheduled for April 23 and will cover a wide geographical spread, including North Bengal districts and several politically sensitive regions.
Extensive Security Coverage Across Regions
According to the deployment plan, voting will take place in districts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda.
In addition, areas in Junglemahal—Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura—along with Birbhum, Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Paschim Bardhaman will also go to polls in this phase.
District-Wise Deployment
Murshidabad district will receive the highest deployment, with 316 companies of central forces. This includes 240 companies in Murshidabad police district and 76 in Jangipur.
East Midnapore will see the second-highest presence with 273 companies, followed closely by West Midnapore with 271 companies.
Other districts with significant deployment include Bankura (193 companies), Birbhum (176), Malda (172), Purulia (151), and Cooch Behar (146).
Smaller allocations include South Dinajpur (83 companies), Jhargram (74), Darjeeling (61), Kalimpong (21), Jalpaiguri (92), and Alipurduar (77).
North Dinajpur will have a combined deployment of 132 companies, divided between Islampur (61) and Raiganj (71).
Urban Commissionerate Areas
In urban regions, 44 companies will be stationed under the Siliguri Police Commissionerate, while the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate will have 125 companies deployed.
ECI’s Focus on Free and Fair Elections
The Election Commission has directed that all central forces be deployed well ahead of polling day to ensure readiness and effective area domination. Such deployments are typically aimed at preventing electoral violence, maintaining law and order, and building voter confidence.
Public Impact
The presence of central forces is expected to reassure voters, particularly in districts with a history of electoral tension. Enhanced security measures are intended to enable citizens to cast their votes without fear or intimidation.
Conclusion
With a significant deployment of central armed forces across key districts, the Election Commission is aiming to ensure a secure and transparent polling process in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23. (With inputs from H.S.)
Inputs & Images courtesy: Hindusthan Samachar (H.S.)
Edited by: Dikshita Bollu
Last Updated on: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 2:17 pm by Bollu Dikshitha | Published by: Bollu Dikshitha on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 1:54 pm | News Categories: India
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