What to Expect: Upcoming Election Schedule for Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry
Election Commission Prepares for Upcoming Polls
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to unveil the election schedule this Sunday for four states: Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Following a thorough assessment of the electoral readiness in these regions, the Commission is poised to finalize the election timeline.
The ECI has been actively monitoring the preparedness for elections across various states, with specific reviews conducted in West Bengal on March 9, Kerala on March 6, and Tamil Nadu on February 26.
In February, the Commission also evaluated Assam's readiness, concentrating on security measures and the accuracy of electoral rolls.
The Assam Assembly's term is set to conclude on May 20, while Kerala's Assembly will wrap up on May 23.
In Tamil Nadu, the Assembly's tenure is scheduled to end on May 10, and West Bengal's Assembly will finish on May 7.
The Commission has engaged with political parties to ensure voter safety and to assess the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
To optimize the use of CAPF during the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, the ECI has decided to revoke the district administration's authority over CAPF movements.
Previously, District Magistrates and District Electoral Officers were responsible for determining CAPF movements during the election period while the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in effect.
This time, however, the ECI has appointed police observers who will oversee CAPF movements in their respective districts.
This decision was communicated to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal during a two-day review by the ECI's full bench on March 10.
Additionally, the CEO's office indicated that specialized teams will be established to assess the specific CAPF deployment needs for different districts, with police officers' decisions being final.
Currently, a total of 480 CAPF companies have been deployed to West Bengal in two separate batches.