Central forces to cover all polling stations, says HC

Hearing a plea for contempt against the State Election Commission (SEC) over the issue of deployment of Central forces in the state, the Bench in its order said, “In our earlier order, we have made it clear that the State Police has to work along with Central Forces. However, considering the extraordinary situation, which led to the issuance of direction for the deployment of Central Forces, if there is a norm by the Central Forces or by the Central Government with regard to the deployment, necessary relaxation can be made with regard to a such number of personnel who are to be deployed to each of the polling stations.”

“In other words, the Inspector General of BSF who has been appointed as Force Coordinator may issue appropriate directions so that the deployment of the Central Forces can cover all polling stations in the State,” the order said.

According to the SEC, there are 61,636 polling stations across 22 districts of the state. Out of which, the SEC said, 7.84% or 4,834 polling stations are “sensitive”.

The direction came after the SEC counsel submitted that there may be a technical difficulty in deploying Central forces at all polling stations as it appears that there is a norm fixed by the central forces that one group cannot be split to less than four. It was stated that with all 822 companies of central forces deployed, there is likely to be an active personnel strength of around 65,000, while there are more than 61,000 polling booths.

“It is submitted by the learned Deputy Solicitor General that considering the Forces which have been deployed, there will be nearly 65,000 active personnel and the State Police Forces will be about 70,000 and the deployment on a ratio of 50:50 will solve the issue,” the court said.

“The Inspector General, BSF, the Force Coordinator appointed by the Central Government, shall pass necessary orders in this regard so that the deployment is eventually made throughout the State,” the High Court ordered.

On a prayer by the petitioners that the Central forces be deployed till the conclusion of the panchayat election process, the Bench said: “The learned advocates for the petitioners would contend that the deployment of the Force should be for the entire process of the election that is up to the stage of declaration of results.”