Over 1,200 battalions to be deployed for Bihar polls

New Delhi: Over 1,200 battalions, comprising central paramilitary forces, will be deployed for the two-phase Bihar polls with the union home ministry making advance deployment of more than 500 battalions, said officials aware of the matter. The final numbers of the deployment will be cleared after the MHA officials' meeting with the CAPF on Wednesday, they added.

The state government had earlier sought 1,800 battalions for the elections during the initial consultation with the MHA and Election Commission (EC) officials, according to officials. During the 2020 elections, 1,200 battalions were deployed during the three-phase elections. The advance deployment includes 121 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and around 400 from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

They will help build confidence, along with the local police and administration, for people to come out and vote for the elections on November 6 and 11. Besides security, the CAPF will also be responsible for CCTV security as the EC has mandated to video graph all critical events, officials added.

The events to be videographed will include filing of nomination papers and scrutiny, allotment of symbols, first-level checking, preparations and storage of electronic voting machines (EVM), officials explained. CCTVs will be installed at important border check posts and static check points for effective monitoring and surveillance for which the central forces will be deployed along with state police.