According to an Election Commission official, around 700 companies of Central Armed Forces (CAPF) will continue to remain deployed across West Bengal after the completion of polling on Wednesday.
The official said that the presence of central forces is aimed at maintaining peace and ensuring that no untoward incidents take place in the post-poll period, news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
This comes as the second phase of polling in West Bengal assembly elections concluded at 6 PM, with voter turnout hitting a remarkable mark at 90% before the closing hour.
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Election Commission earlier issued a deployment plan for the CRPF, stating that 700 companies of CAPF shall continue to remain deployed in the state for security arrangements and law and order duties.
"The forces will be stationed in sensitive areas and will assist the state administration in maintaining normalcy," the official was quoted as saying.
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2,400 companies of CAPF were deployed
According to Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta, 2,400 companies of CAPF were deployed in the State during the second phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal.
{{/usCountry}}According to Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta, 2,400 companies of CAPF were deployed in the State during the second phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal.
{{/usCountry}}Talking about the security arrangements in the state, Gupta earlier said that some contingents had body cameras, strong rooms were guarded by CAPF personnel as per defined security protocols, along with CCTV cameras installed at entry points. He said that the footage of CCTV cameras will be accessible to candidates and their agents.
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The second phase of the polling in West Bengal is widely seen as the 'litmus test' for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), as voting took place in the party's traditional fortresses in South Bengal and Kolkata.
The main fight in West Bengal in the 2026 elections is between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. The results of West Bengal polls will be declared on May 4, along with the outcome of polls in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.