The Election Commission of India is set to send 200 companies of central forces more to Bengal and they are likely to de deployed from the fourth phase of the polls.

The first two phases of the polls are over and the third phase would be held on April 6.

“The additional forces would be used from April 10 when the fourth phase would be held. There are enough forces to hold the third phase of the polls,” said a source in the poll panel.

As of now, the state has 800 companies of central forces at its disposal. With 200 more companies, the state would have 1,000 companies of central forces. Sources said such a huge contingent of central forces was never deployed in the state for holding polls.

“It has been decided that all booths would be guarded by central forces in this year’s polls and that’s why the requirement is much higher,” explained a source.

As the first two phases had only 30 Assembly segments each, the requirement of central forces was 700-odd companies. “In the third phase scheduled for April 6, elections will be held in 31 Assembly segments. So, with the existing central forces, the elections could be managed. But from the fourth phase onwards, elections will be held in 40-odd Assembly segments and that’s why the requirement for forces would be higher,” said a source in the poll panel.

A section of the officials said as elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry would be over by April 6, it would not be a problem for the EC to send additional forces to Bengal.

“It is clear that the schedule of elections in Bengal was prepared in a way that maximum number of central forces can be sent to the state,” said an official.

The sources said a total of 618 companies of central forces would be deployed in the third phase of the polls scheduled for April 6.

“We have 800 companies in the state right now. Of them, 618 companies would be deployed for the third phase. The remaining forces would be used to guard the strong rooms where EVMs have been kept. Forces are also being used to build confidence among the voters in the districts where polls would be held later on,” said another source.

The EC on Friday made it clear that the central forces would not enter the booths until they were called in by the presiding officer.

The sources said the clear instruction was issued after charges were levelled against the central force jawans that a section of them was influencing voters.