Kolkata, Dec 5, : The BJP has demanded central forces to conduct the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.Even Governor Jagdeep Das called Sourav Das, the State Election Commissioner, to seek clarifications on the use and deployment forces in civic polls.
However, there are strong indications that the SEC may follow the state government’s lead and deploy the state forces to conduct the critical KMC election. Although the state election commission, the state poll body responsible to conducting the election, has yet to produce a plan for force deployment, sources have confirmed that they have requested a detailed plan from state home department.
It was also learned that the state home department has submitted the number and deployment pattern to the commission.
Sources at the top of the commission stated that the plan submitted to the commission by the state government mentions that the home department will have the ability to provide 32,000 police force, 26,000 from Kolkata Police and another 5,000 form the state police force.
This will provide security for poll-related activities in all 144 wards in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.Surprisingly, the Assembly election saw almost the same number.
A senior SEC official stated that the state home department had submitted a draft proposal.They will provide a detailed security arrangement design Monday.
Because the number of booths in this poll has increased significantly, the commission will require additional forces and election officials.According to available data, there will be 482 main booths and 365 additional or auxiliary booths.
Therefore, the commission must plan to increase the police force to manage the additional booths.
According to the state home department’s plan, each booth will have one Sub Inspector (SI) as well as one Additional Sub Inspector (ASI).
He will be accompanied at all times by two armed policemen.The queue will likely be managed by constables with sticks.
Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will be set up in each borough so that they can quickly respond to any situation.These QRTs are managed by the Rapid Action Force of the Kolkata Police.
The Green Police and civic volunteers will not be allowed to vote.
Although the BJP has requested the State Election Commissioner to conduct an election with the central force to maintain neutrality, a senior SEC official stated that the state force was capable enough to conduct the elections and that the central force is not necessary.
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