"We are going to write a letter to the state government on whether it had received any communication from the Centre regarding availability of central forces for their deployment in the ensuing civic polls in the state," State Election Commissioner Susanta Ranjan Upadhyay told reporters here.
"We shall also ask the state government if it had any communication at all with the Centre on the issue and in case of any communication how many companies will be available and from which date," Upadhyay said.
"The matter is being taken up with the centre. This will be intimated to you in due course of time," he said quoting the letter.
The Commission also hinted at the requirement of at least 100 companies of central forces for free, fair and peaceful civic polls. "Since the polling date is getting closer, we should know details about availability of the central forces for appropriate planning for their deployment," he said.
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These elections are seen as a trial of strength of the major political parties before the state assembly election due in May next year.
Opposition parties in West Bengal have been demanding deployment of central forces for the municipal elections in the state.
To a question, Upadhayay said that altogether 106 poll observers, 15 in KMC and the rest 91 in other civic bodies, have already been deployed.
WBSEC, he said, is contemplating a move to relax the poll campaign using loud speakers after April 2 within a stipulated time-frame.