New Delhi/Kolkata, April 19 (IANS) Top officials of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have finalised a robust, technology-driven security architecture for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 — Phase 1 on April 23 and Phase 2 on April 29, an official said on Sunday.

The high-level meeting at Salt Lake on Saturday was attended by the Directors General (DGs) of the CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB and ITBP, who focused on inter-agency synergy to ensure a free, fair and transparent election, the official said in a statement.

The security officials reviewed the deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and anti-sabotage checks, ensuring that the “Integrated Security Grid” is prepared to handle potential disruptors in coordination with local law enforcement, it said.

The primary objective of all these forces is to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and transparent election where every citizen can exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation, the statement said.

With the first phase of polling scheduled for April 23 across 152 constituencies, this joint exercise served as a final operational alignment for the thousands of personnel deployed on the ground, it said.

Following the internal review, a joint meeting was held at the 3rd Signal Centre, CRPF, Salt Lake. The session, initiated by Salabh Mathur, IG, CRPF (State Force Coordinator), brought together the heads of the CISF, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and the West Bengal Police, alongside the Election Commission’s Police Advisor.

Director General, CISF, Praveer Ranjan, said: “Our mission in West Bengal transcends routine security; it is about safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot.”

He said: “To the personnel on the ground, my message is clear: you are the guardians of democracy. We must function not as individual units, but as ‘One Election Force’ — cohesive, disciplined and technologically adept.”

As the state approaches the first phase on April 23, the CAPF leadership emphasised “leadership by example”. Supervisory officers have been tasked with leading from the front to maintain high standards of discipline and turnout, the statement said.

The deployment includes comprehensive surveillance of sensitive pockets and the mandatory use of the Election Duty Handbook by all personnel to ensure 100 per cent compliance with Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, it said.

The meeting concluded with reinforced morale among the ranks, signalling to the electorate that the security apparatus is fully prepared to deliver a safe and peaceful voting environment across West Bengal.

–IANS

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