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A Vote Ringed By Forces: Bengal’s Poll Season Turns Security-Heavy

Across Kolkata and beyond, election season in West Bengal is being marked as much by security formations as by political mobilisation. Central paramilitary forces, deployed in what officials describe as unprecedented numbers, are conducting route marches, guarding key constituencies, and shadowing campaign activity, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the polls. From temple precincts in Kalighat to dense urban constituencies in Kolkata, route marches and security drills have become a daily spectacle. With nearly 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, questions around scale, necessity, and the message such visibility sends are shaping the political atmosphere.

In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1. | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee/Outlook
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CRPF women personnel from Manipur during a route march as part of enhanced security arrangements for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata on Tuesday. Kolkata West Bengal.
CRPF women personnel from Manipur during a route march as part of enhanced security arrangements for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata on Tuesday. Kolkata West Bengal. | Photo: IMAGO/ANI
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1.
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1. | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee/Outlook
Paramilitary forces conduct march-past and tighten security around Kalighat Kalighat Kali Temple and Rashbehari Assembly constituency during election campaign ahead of West Bengal Assembly polls, in Kolkata.
Paramilitary forces conduct march-past and tighten security around Kalighat Kalighat Kali Temple and Rashbehari Assembly constituency during election campaign ahead of West Bengal Assembly polls, in Kolkata. | Photo: IMAGO/ANI
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1.
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1. | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee/Outlook
Central paramilitary forces conduct a march-past amid tight security arrangements across various Assembly constituencies during election campaigns and rallies ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata.
Central paramilitary forces conduct a march-past amid tight security arrangements across various Assembly constituencies during election campaigns and rallies ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata. | Photo: IMAGO/ANI
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1.
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1. | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee/Outlook
Paramilitary forces conduct a march past near the Kalighat Kali Temple at Rashbehari Assembly constituency, for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata.
Paramilitary forces conduct a march past near the Kalighat Kali Temple at Rashbehari Assembly constituency, for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata. | Photo: IMAGO/ANI
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1.
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1. | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee/Outlook
CRPF personnel are seen during a nomination submission rally of the Left Front political party in Kolkata.
CRPF personnel are seen during a nomination submission rally of the Left Front political party in Kolkata. | Photo: IMAGO
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1.
In the run-up to Bengal elections, concerns have been sounded around the heavy deployment of central armed forces across the state. With around 2.4 lakh personnel deployed, a number claimed to be unprecedented in the history of the state, forces were seen heavily patrolling the constituencies going into polls in Phase 1. | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee/Outlook
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West Bengal Assembly Polls Assembly elections 2026