New Delhi, 15 February, 24: The Election Commission (EC) has reached out to the Ministry of Home Affairs, urging for the provision of 3,400 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), totaling 3.4 lakh paramilitary personnel. This request aims to ensure the orderly conduct of elections across several states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim.
In a letter dated February 13, the EC also approached the Chairman of the Railway Board, requesting adequate rolling stocks equipped with essential facilities to facilitate the smooth mobilization and movement of forces for election-related duties.
The communication outlined plans for the phased deployment of CAPFs, with West Bengal slated to receive up to 920 companies, followed by 635 companies earmarked for Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, significant deployments are planned in states such as Chhattisgarh (360 companies), Bihar (295 companies), Uttar Pradesh (252 companies), and Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Punjab (250 companies each).
Several other states, including Gujarat, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Tripura, are also expected to witness substantial deployments of CAPFs to bolster security measures during the electoral process.
The EC's proactive measures underscore its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and secure elections, with the timely deployment of paramilitary personnel playing a crucial role in maintaining law and order and safeguarding the democratic process. As preparations for the upcoming polls intensify, collaboration between electoral authorities and security agencies remains paramount to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and foster public trust in democracy.
