Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) is planning to increase deployment of central forces for the third phase of polling, scheduled on May 7, when Malda South, Malda North, Murshidabad and Jangipur will go to polls. Approximately, 406 companies of forces are expected to be deployed, given Murshidabad’s history of political clashes.
In the Murshidabad Lok Sabha zone, there will be a deployment of 114 companies, while Jangipur will get 76 companies.
Meanwhile, for Malda, 144 companies of central forces will be deployed for the two seats of Malda South and Malda North.
The rest of the companies will be deployed for confidence-building measures and on strong room duty.
The decision comes in the wake of violence during the panchayat polls of 2023 in Domkal and other parts of Murshidabad, prompting the EC to analyse sensitive booths to finalize force deployment.