West Bengal Minister Nirmala Chattopadhyay has dismissed fears of unrest, telling ANI, ‘Mamata Banerjee assigned responsibility to everyone… Nothing will happen this time… They sent a lot of people from the force earlier, too.’ Her comments come as the Election Commission of India (ECI) moves to station Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel in the poll-bound state beginning March 1, 2026, even before formally announcing the election schedule.

Central Forces Deployed in Two Phases

The ECI has decided to deploy around 480 companies of CAPF personnel in two phases by March 10. In the first phase, nearly 240 companies will arrive on March 1, followed by another 240 companies on March 10. This deployment is intended to ensure smooth conduct of the elections, particularly in light of past incidents of voter intimidation and electoral malpractice in the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has been actively involved in preparing for the electoral process. Earlier this month, the state government welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to permit the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to deploy additional civil judges with three years of experience, and if required, seek assistance from the Chief Justices of Jharkhand and Odisha to verify objections under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter rolls.

Judicial Shortage Sparks Supreme Court Intervention

The directions were issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court highlighted a shortage of officers to verify over 50 lakh objections under the ‘Logical Discrepancy’ category within the existing timeframe. The High Court had noted that even 250 judicial officers would require approximately 80 days to complete the verification.

According to the TMC government, this was a ‘significant development’ before the Supreme Court, where the voters of West Bengal secured critical clarifications and directions safeguarding the rights of eligible electors in the ongoing SIR process. The Supreme Court’s intervention aims to expedite the verification of voter lists, which are crucial for ensuring free and fair elections.

The deployment of CAPF personnel and the judicial support from neighboring states are seen as necessary measures to prevent any disruption in the electoral process. The state government has emphasized that it is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters are included in the voter rolls and that their rights are protected.

The ECI’s decision to deploy central forces ahead of the election schedule has raised concerns among political analysts. Some fear that the deployment could be seen as an overreach by the central government, potentially leading to tensions with the state government. However, the ECI has maintained that the move is purely to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

What’s Next for West Bengal Elections?

The ECI is expected to formally announce the election schedule by early March, following the deployment of CAPF personnel. The state government has been in constant communication with the ECI and the Supreme Court to ensure that all legal and administrative requirements are met before the polls are conducted.

With the deployment of CAPF personnel and the judicial support from neighboring states, the focus is now on the smooth conduct of the electoral process. The TMC government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the elections are held in a free and fair manner, without any intimidation or malpractice.

The Supreme Court’s intervention in the SIR process is expected to have a significant impact on the verification of voter lists. The additional judicial support is likely to expedite the process, ensuring that the voter rolls are accurate and up-to-date before the elections are held.

The upcoming elections in West Bengal are widely anticipated to be highly competitive, with the TMC government facing challenges from various opposition parties. The deployment of central forces and the judicial support from neighboring states are seen as critical steps in ensuring that the elections are conducted without any disruptions.

As the election date approaches, the focus will remain on the smooth conduct of the electoral process and the protection of the rights of eligible voters. The state government has assured the public that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the elections are held in a free and fair manner.