New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Monday said that in an effort to avert post-poll violence, the Election Commission has decided for the first time to continue the deployment of central forces in some states even after the Model Code of Conduct ends. He said the Election Commission believes that there will be no post-poll violence, but still, to avert any kind of violence, it has been decided for the first time to keep the central forces deployed even after the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct are lifted on Tuesday with the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections.
The CEC said in a press conference here that the states where the deployment of central forces will continue include Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur. He said, “Wherever we have apprehension (of violence).” Sources had said on Saturday that based on the assessment provided by the states as well as central observers, the Commission has provided central forces to various states even beyond the counting day on June 4 to avoid any untoward incident.
Security forces have been provided to Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal for 15 days after June 4. Sources said that security forces have been provided to Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh for two days after the counting day. Assembly elections were also held in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh along with the Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes for Sikkim and Arunachal assembly elections took place on June 2.
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