New Delhi/Kolkata, April 16 -- Personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed at the polling booths in West Bengal are no longer required to act only on the request of presiding officers, who are state government staff, senior officials of the election commission aware of the matter said. Election Commission officials said that under revised guidelines, the central forces are now empowered to secure polling stations, protect election staff and electronic voting machines, and respond independently to incidents such as booth capturing, voter intimidation and disruptions. The change has been notified after a recent visit by EC teams to the state where polling is scheduled to be held on April 23 and 29. The change is specific to W...