Days prior to announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission’s top officials have called upon senior Home Ministry officials to assess security preparedness for the democratic exercise.
Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla is scheduled to meet Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and fellow Election Commissioner Arun Goel on Friday to discuss the deployment of central forces in states, according to sources.
The meeting also precedes the Election Commission’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review poll preparedness. The EC has requested 3.4 lakh Central Armed Police Force personnel for Lok Sabha and four assembly polls.
With nearly 97 crore voters, the EC plans to establish approximately 12.5 lakh polling stations across India.
Additionally, the EC will hold discussions with top railway officials.
The Railways plays a significant role in transporting central forces for deployment during various phases.