NEW DELHI: As the Election Commission of India (ECI) prepares to announce the Bihar Assembly election schedule after the first week of October, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) across the state. An initial 500 companies will be deployed, with 120 more designated for area domination.
On Sunday, the Commission announced the appointment of general, police, and expenditure observers—drawn from IAS, IPS, and IRS cadres—to ensure free and fair polls.
According to sources, the full Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, will visit Patna on October 4–5 to assess preparations. Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, is expected to meet Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer and senior state officials.
An official MHA communication confirmed that the induction of forces will be completed by October 5, 2025. The deployment will include 118 companies of CRPF, 99 of BSF, 92 of CISF, 75 of ITBP, 96 of SSB, and 20 of RPF. Nearly 70 CRPF companies will be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir to reinforce security in Bihar.
A senior security official described the mobilisation as one of the largest ever for a state assembly election, aimed at strengthening law and order, conducting flag marches, boosting voter confidence, and ensuring surveillance during the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the ECI has also finalised the deployment of Central Observers in Bihar. These officials are appointed under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to oversee the conduct of elections in each constituency.
Source:Africa Publicity
