NEW DELHI: The Election Commission may announce assembly polls in five states/UT anytime after March 15, which is also the deadline for filing of appeals against the final electoral roll for West Bengal published on Feb 28 with a total 6.4 crore electors.The window for appeals against the final electoral rolls for other poll-bound states/UT – Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry – is already over.Sources indicated fewer phases in the upcoming round of assembly polls, as compared to the 2021 schedule that had West Bengal voting over eight phases, Assam over three phases and Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry in a single phase. To enable polls over a shorter duration with limited phases, there will be a substantial increase in the deployment of central forces, particularly in West Bengal.Sources indicated that the total strength of CAPFs to be deployed could surpass the 1,500 companies, comprising around 1.4 lakh personnel, deployed for the 2024 assembly election in J&K. Around 500 companies of CAPFs, comprising around 45,000 personnel, are already on advance deployment in West Bengal.Multi-phase polls are expected in West Bengal and Assam, while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry may vote in a single phase. Given that the term of West Bengal assembly expires on May 7, polling is likely to stretch over April and early May.The process of adjudication of around 60 lakh ‘doubtful’ cases in West Bengal by judicial officers appointed by the Calcutta High Court will continue, with scope for further appeal before the tribunals. Sources said EC will publish the supplementary voter lists with cases approved by judicial officers, as directed by the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court.Meanwhile, the EC on Thursday issued the notification regarding appointment of returning officers for all 294 constituencies in West Bengal, after the state govt, upon the commission’s insistence, consented to provide officers of requisite seniority.EC will also keep a close watch over deployment and randomisation of CAPF and state police personnel in the poll-bound states, through special police observers, police observers and CAPF nodal officers.
