As many as 80,000 Central paramilitary force personnel have been deployed in West Bengal for peaceful conduct of Assembly elections. This marks the highest number ever deployed in the State for Assembly elections, Election Commission (EC) officials told BusinessLine .

There were Central police personnel in every polling booth. Officials said that for the elections held on April 17, 1,500 flying squads were also deployed.

“It is true that there were some clashes (on April 17) but whenever we got any information our teams would rush. The presence of Central forces ensured that people were allowed to exercise their franchise freely. If the force had not been deployed there would have been a question mark on the election,” a senior Commission official said.

Pointing out that State-level government machinery is prone to misuse during elections, the official said that in West Bengal this led the Commission removing officials even close to the date of polling. “We would much rather have inexperienced officers,” the official quipped.

In an indication of the gravity of the situation in the State, officials said 1,26,000 non-bailable warrants have been issued and executed against criminals in West Bengal.

This is in addition to the seizure of 2,000 illegal arms, 8,000 small and big bombs, 700 kg of explosives and 3,000 rounds of ammunition.

West Bengal has a six-phase election to elect its 294-member Legislative Assembly. The poll process began on April 4 and is scheduled to end on May 5.

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