The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the requisition and deployment of central forces for the West Bengal panchayat elections scheduled to be held on July 8.

The court also left it to the discretion of the State Election Commission (SEC) to take a call on extension of time for filing of nominations, refusing to consider a prayer in this regard. A division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam directed the SEC to requisition central forces to work in tandem with the local police force.