Three Lok Sabha constituencies — Darjeeling, Balurghat, and Raiganj – will vote on April 26 (Friday).

At present, there are 277 companies of Central forces in the state.

Sources in the Election Commission (EC) said that it has sought another 100 companies of CAPF for deployment in West Bengal during the third phase when four Lok Sabha constituencies — Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Jangipur, and Murshidabad — will vote on May 7. If the Union Home Ministry meets the EC’s request, then 400 companies of Central forces will be deployed in the state.

The deployment of additional companies of Central forces comes following reports of violence, assault, and intimidation were reported in the first phase of the elections last Friday.

In the first phase when three constituencies went to polls, 112 companies of CAPF were deployed in Cooch Behar alone, where most incidents of assault and intimidation – 218 — were reported.

As per the Election Commision, 89 per cent of booths will be manned by the Central forces and the remaining 11 per cent booths by the state armed police, aided with CCTVs, webcasting, videography and micro-observers.

The Lok Sabha election is being held in seven phases in West Bengal. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.