EC announces deployment of 100% Central forces to cover election booths in West Bengal following poll violence in first four phases of 2019 Lok Sabha elections

In the aftermath of the violence in West Bengal during the first four phases of the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission on Wednesday announced the deployment of 100 percent Central forces in the remaining three phases, replacing the state forces. 

While West Bengal state police will not be allowed inside the polling booth, they will be engaged in other polling activities including maintenance of the voters' queue and law and order around the polling booths. 

A total of 578 companies of the Central forces are being deployed for the 5th phase of the Lok Sabha elections which is scheduled to be held on May 6. 

WATCH: Babul Supriyo Narrates The Sequence Of Events As His Car Was Attacked At A Polling Booth In Asansol, West Bengal

This development comes after the BJP urged the Election Commission for increased deployment of security forces in wake of violence amid the ongoing polls. 

On Monday when the fourth phase of the General elections was underway, massive classes broke between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party workers in West Bengal's Asansol. Clashes broke out between supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured.

Amid the violence in the regions, goons also damaged the car of Union Minister and sitting BJP MP  Babul Supriyo and attacked Republic crew. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee furthermore alleged that the central forces opened fire inside a polling booth in Birbhum, claiming that BJP had "misused" the central forces to rig the elections.

WATCH | SHOCKING: TMC Goons Attack Republic Crew In West Bengal's Asansol, Reporter Narrates Ordeal

Following the incident of violence, BJP delegation-led by Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel also met the Election Commission and raised complaint in the matter. 

In the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, eight parliamentary constituencies of West Bengal went to polls which saw an estimated 76.66 per cent of voters having exercised their franchise. 

Meanwhile, three phases of Lok Sabha polls are left in the country which are scheduled to take place on May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.