By IANS,
Kolkata : West Bengal will get the maximum — 220 companies — of central paramilitary forces for its three-phased parliamentary polls beginning April 30, the Election Commission announced Tuesday.
Addressing the media after day-long consultations with the state government officials, district magistrates, superintendents of police as also political parties, Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said four additional election observers were being appointed for better monitoring of the polls in three constituencies.
Two of the observers will be posted in Ghatal, and one each in Darjeeling and Bishnupur Lok Sabha constituencies.
Asked why has the commission decided to deploy the highest number of central paramilitary forces in the state, Sampath said: “It is based on the assessment of the state government, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and also availability of such forces.”
“The state has Maoist affected areas. And with the elections over in other Naxalite affected areas of the country, there is a possibility of some of these elements coming here and causing disruptions,” Sampath said.