Murshidabad, which recorded the highest number of voter deletions during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, is set to receive the largest deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) ahead of the first phase of assembly elections on April 23.
Around 7.4 lakh names were removed from the voter list in the Muslim-majority district, according to Election Commission (EC) sources cited by The Times of India. In response, a total of 316 CAPF companies will be stationed in Murshidabad, the highest for any district in this phase.
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Massive Central forces deployment across districts
Across the state, 2,407 CAPF companies, amounting to at least 1.73 lakh personnel, will be deployed in 152 constituencies spread over 16 districts voting in the first phase. This marks the highest-ever CAPF deployment in West Bengal for elections.
In comparison, around 900 companies were deployed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state, while approximately 725 companies were sent during the 2021 Assembly polls.
Within Murshidabad, the allocation is split between its two police districts: 240 companies for Murshidabad police district and 76 companies for Jangipur police district.
Other districts with heavy deployment
East Midnapore will see the second-highest deployment with 273 CAPF companies, followed closely by West Midnapore with 271 companies. The politically significant Nandigram constituency, located in East Midnapore, remains a key focus area.
State police support and timeline
In addition to Central forces, 40,928 state police personnel will be deployed. Murshidabad again leads in this category, with 4,216 personnel assigned to its police district and 1,550 to Jangipur.
Each CAPF company consists of at least 72 personnel.
"CAPF deployment will be more than four times the number of state police personnel," an EC official said per TOI.
The Election Commission has directed that all Central and state forces must be in position by April 20, ahead of polling day.
