ECI Takes Direct Control of Bengal Poll Security, Bypassing Mamata's SPs and DMs

• Election Commission of India (ECI) will directly control security force deployment in West Bengal elections, bypassing state SPs and DMs.
• Decision aims to curb continuous election violence and address complaints of state administration's misuse of power.
• Deployment of CAPF and state police now solely decided by ECI's police observers, stripping SPs/DMs of 'special privilege'.
• This poses a significant organizational challenge for the ruling Trinamool Congress, losing control over administrative 'coordination'.
• ECI adopts zero-tolerance policy on violence; 480 CAPF companies already in Bengal, area domination by March 14.