Kolkata, 26 April (H.S.): The Election Commission is facing a shortage of polling personnel ahead of the second phase of elections in West Bengal and has decided to redeploy central government employees who had worked during the first phase.

According to officials, over 17,276 such employees will be engaged in the second phase of polling. A notification issued by the Commission has directed district authorities to immediately appoint these personnel and issue deployment orders without delay. These employees had already performed duties during the first phase and will now be reassigned to ensure smooth conduct of polling. They will be deployed across four categories, including presiding officers.

An Election Commission official said on Sunday that South 24 Parganas will see the highest deployment, with 6,620 personnel being assigned. This will be followed by North 24 Parganas with 5,680 personnel and Nadia with 1,745. In Howrah, a total of 724 personnel will be deployed, including 221 in Domjur. Additionally, 1,109 personnel will be deployed in South Kolkata, 712 in Hooghly and 686 in Purba Bardhaman.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from some quarters. Swapna Mondal, general secretary of the Poll Workers’ Unity Forum, questioned why only central government employees were being redeployed when several state government employees were yet to be assigned election duties. He said such a move had not been seen before, though he stressed the need for free and fair elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey