Bengal polls: EC directs Kolkata Police to use central forces
Times of India | 19 March 2026
KOLKATA: The EC on Wednesday directed the state's top police officials to immediately deploy central forces in any area where the law-and-order situation deteriorates.
In a review meeting with Bengal DGP, CP Kolkata, ADG (law and order), IG CRPF and other senior state police officials on poll preparedness, Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal and two EC special observers made it clear that the central forces have not come to remain stationed at one place, sources said.
The EC on Wednesday also held a meeting with major telecom service providers to ensure seamless connectivity across polling areas, depending on network availability. "This time, webcasting will be arranged from all booths and, for that, all installed cameras will be fitted with SIM. The telecom operators have been asked to ensure proper connectivity," sources said.