The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finalized plans to deploy 240 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in poll-bound West Bengal starting February 28, 2026, just one day after the publication of the final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The deployment, part of the first phase of security arrangements ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, aims to ensure law and order, facilitate area domination, conduct route marches, and build public confidence amid concerns over potential unrest following the voter list release. Sources indicate that contingents may begin arriving as early as February 27 in stages, though the primary induction is targeted for February 28 to March 1. This marks an unusually early and large-scale pre-poll movement of central forces in the state—far exceeding deployments before the 2021 polls—with a total of 480 companies planned in two phases.

The first batch of 240 companies includes approximately 110 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 from the Border Security Force (BSF), 21 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 27 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and 27 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). District-wise allocations prioritize sensitive areas: North 24 Parganas will receive the highest of 30 companies, followed by Murshidabad (16) near the Bangladesh border, Howrah and South 24 Parganas (15 each), and others such as Purba Medinipur, Hooghly, Kolkata, Malda, and Nadia. The second phase will bring another 240 companies by March 10.

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The timing coincides with the conclusion of the SIR process, a comprehensive revision of electoral rolls ordered by the ECI to update voter lists with the qualifying date of January 1, 2026. The final roll is scheduled for publication on February 28, prompting apprehensions of possible violence or protests, as highlighted in intelligence reports. The Supreme Court has recently intervened in related matters, directing additional judicial officers to handle pending SIR cases and ensuring timely publication of the roll.

This robust security measure reflects the ECI's proactive approach to safeguarding the electoral process in West Bengal, a state with a history of competitive and sometimes tense polling. CRPF IG Sanjay Yadav has been appointed as the state force coordinator to oversee logistics, accommodation, and movement in coordination with state authorities. Officials have emphasized that the forces will also support duties such as guarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), strong rooms, and counting centers once the election schedule—expected in March—is announced. Residents in affected districts are advised to cooperate with security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful proceedings

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