More than 50,000 central paramilitary forces personnel will be deployed during the forthcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka to ensure free and fair polls.
The Centre has earmarked a total of 52,500 security personnel (525 companies) drawn from various paramilitary forces such as the CRPF, ITBP and BSF to keep a strict vigil and ensure peace during the polling process in the State.
Voting will take place on May 5 for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly.
The number of Central forces was finalised recently by the Election Commission after a meeting with senior officials of the Union Home Ministry.
All the security personnel have reached Karnataka and are in the process of reaching their designated places of deployment, a senior Government official said.
Authorities have directed security personnel to ensure tight security across the State in the wake of the April 17 blast outside the BJP office in Bangalore that left 16 people, including 11 policemen, injured.
Karnataka has seen several terror attacks in the past and the State is considered to be sensitive, officials said.
Karnataka has 4.18 crore voters and 50,446 polling stations. Counting of votes will take place on May 8.