Election Commission shifts 483 officials in unprecedented poll-time reshuffle

Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has transferred 483 administrative and police officials in West Bengal since the Assembly elections were announced on March 15, marking an unprecedented reshuffle in the poll-bound state.

The figure is 21 times higher than the 23 officers shifted across Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu combined, while no transfers have been ordered in Puducherry.

The scale far exceeds the 15 officers transferred in West Bengal during the 2021 Assembly elections.

According to the ECI, the transfers were carried out in phases based on ground-level intelligence inputs, reports from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, and feedback from central observers. On March 15, the poll panel ordered the transfer of 79 officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. This was followed by the transfer of 38 IPS officers and 13 IAS officers on March 17 and 18.

On March 23, the Commission removed 73 returning officers. On March 29, it shifted 83 block development officers and assistant returning officers, along with 184 inspector-rank police officers across districts.

In addition, 13 senior IPS officers from West Bengal have been deputed as election observers in other states.

A senior election official said the decisions were aimed at ensuring free, fair and violence-free polls. “The transfers vary from state to state depending on ground requirements. We have the authority to ensure elections are free, fair and violence-free,” the official said.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has strongly objected to the scale of the reshuffle.

Addressing a rally at Nanoor in Birbhum district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the reshuffle was aimed at influencing the nomination process.

“They have reshuffled officers. Those appointed have been tasked to reject nominations. Check your documents before submitting your nomination,” Banerjee said, calling it a “deliberate design to seize control of West Bengal”.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, backed the ECI, saying the Commission was acting within its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the ECI defended its decision before the Calcutta High Court, stating that the transfers were necessitated by ground-level requirements and not discriminatory.

The court, on March 31, dismissed a petition challenging the transfers, upholding the Commission’s stand.