EC allots 552 companies for fourth phase in state

Kolkata: The Election Commission has allotted 552 companies of Central Forces to conduct the fourth phase of elections in eight constituencies of Bengal on April 29. Berhampore, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman, Bardhaman East, Durgapur-Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum will go to polls on the day.

According to an official at the CEO's office, EC is trying to cover 97 percent polling stations during the fourth phase. The move has been taken up to ensure free and fair elections.

The remaining booths will be manned by the state armed forces. The Commission has already identified the sensitive booths in all the eight constituencies and also the areas where trouble could break out.

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that altogether 324 companies of Central Forces were deployed during the third phase of elections on Tuesday, covering over 92 percent of the polling stations across the five constituencies that went to poll.

The deployment of Central Forces had been the highest in Murshidabad and Jangipur with 177 companies, while 94 companies were deployed in Malda North and Malda South. Around 44 companies were pressed into action in Balurghat.