With regard to the event of deployment of CISF during election duties,

With regard to the event of deployment of CISF during election duties, which one of the following statements is *not* correct?

They should be absolutely impartial and ensure that the spirit of the law is not violated.
Even if the Presiding Officer asks to arrest, CISF personnel deployed on duty, cannot make arrest.
Does not hesitate to use force if there is instance of booth capturing.
In the event of attack on the polling station by miscreants, the CISF will not hesitate to use force.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021
The question asks which statement about CISF deployment during election duties is *not* correct.
A) CISF personnel must be impartial and ensure the spirit of the law is not violated. This is correct behavior for any security force during elections.
B) Even if the Presiding Officer asks to arrest, CISF personnel deployed on duty, cannot make arrest. This statement is incorrect. CISF personnel have powers of arrest without warrant under Section 11 of the CISF Act for offences committed under the Act or any other law, particularly cognizable offences committed in their presence. Disturbing elections, booth capturing, or attacking polling stations are offences. While their primary role is to assist and hand over to police, stating they *cannot* make an arrest is an overstatement of their limitations and therefore incorrect.
C) Does not hesitate to use force if there is instance of booth capturing. This is correct; preventing booth capturing is a key duty, and force may be necessary.
D) In the event of attack on the polling station by miscreants, the CISF will not hesitate to use force. This is correct; protecting the polling station is a primary duty.
Therefore, the statement that is not correct is that they cannot make an arrest.
CISF personnel possess powers of arrest under Section 11 of the CISF Act for relevant offences. While standard procedure during election duty may involve detaining and handing over to the police, stating they cannot make an arrest at all is inaccurate.
CISF’s role in election duties is crucial for maintaining law and order, ensuring free and fair polls, and protecting polling personnel and voters. Their actions are guided by election laws, the CISF Act, and directives from the Election Commission and local administration.