The deployment of central armed police forces is a routine but crucial part of elections in India
It was just past 2 pm when a 32-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable wrapped up her 10-hour morning shift and made a quick video call to her six-year-old son back home in Bhubaneswar. Still in uniform, she quietly ate lunch at a temporary lodging in a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flat in Narela, sharing the two-bedroom space with fellow officers.
She is among thousands of paramilitary personnel deployed in the capital over the past three weeks to help maintain law and order for the assembly elections. Their duties include guarding polling stations, securing electronic voting machines (EVMs), and handling any disturbances to ensure the polls are conducted smoothly.
The deployment of central armed police forces is a routine but crucial part of elections in India, whether general, assembly, or municipal. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastva, who is the nodal officer for this year’s election security, said 220 companies from various forces have been deployed, including the CRPF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
To accommodate this large deployment, Delhi Police has arranged temporary lodgings across 15 districts, using community halls, government office campuses, and other spaces. “Each company has a liaison officer from Delhi Police to coordinate any requirements,” said Srivastva, emphasising the importance of efficient coordination to support the personnel during their stay.
Despite the temporary nature of these arrangements, the personnel come fully equipped, bringing along essentials such as cooking utensils, clothing irons, and other daily-use items. Their ability to adapt quickly to new environments is a testament to their role as the backbone of election security operations.
For these men and women in uniform, days are long, and comforts are limited. Yet, they remain focused on their mission to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process. Their presence is a reminder of the extensive efforts undertaken behind the scenes to safeguard one of the country’s most significant democratic exercises.
