In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission (EC) has communicated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across various states, including Tripura. The deployment of CAPF personnel is a crucial aspect of ensuring the smooth conduct of elections and maintaining law and order during the electoral process.
The EC has conveyed the necessity of deploying around 10,000 CAPF personnel in Tripura alone. These personnel will be tasked with a range of poll-related duties, including area domination, confidence-building measures, guarding of electronic voting machines (EVMs), securing strong room centers, and maintaining peace and order during the elections.
Furthermore, the EC has requested a total of 3.4 lakh CAPF personnel for deployment in a phased manner across several states, encompassing both the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim.
To facilitate the movement of CAPF personnel, the EC has emphasized the need for adequate rolling stock with appropriate facilities in trains. This measure aims to ensure the smooth mobilization and timely deployment of forces to carry out election duties effectively.
The requests for CAPF deployment have originated from Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and Union Territories, underlining the importance of having para-military forces for various poll-related functions.
In response to these requests, the EC has decided to deploy a maximum of approximately 3,400 companies of CAPFs across all states and Union Territories in phases. Each CAPF company comprises around 100 personnel, contributing to the overall security and integrity of the electoral process.
The distribution of CAPF personnel across states is based on the anticipated requirements and potential security challenges. For instance, states like West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh are slated to receive significant numbers of CAPF companies, reflecting the electoral dynamics and security considerations in these regions.
The CAPFs, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and National Security Guard (NSG), collectively contribute to ensuring the democratic process unfolds smoothly and securely.
