kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, March 18: The West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission has once again reshuffled senior police officials in the state, signaling strict enforcement of electoral norms. On the very day the poll schedule was announced, several top police officers, including the state’s Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, were transferred, highlighting the Commission’s intent to ensure impartiality in the electoral process.

This latest directive involves the transfer of five Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) across the state. The officers reassigned include DIGs from the Raiganj, Murshidabad, Bardhaman, Presidency, and Jalpaiguri ranges. According to the Election Commission’s official notification, Amitkumar Bharat Rathore, 2009 batch IPS officer, has been posted as the new DIG of Raiganj. Ajit Kumar Yadav will serve as DIG Murshidabad, Shrihari Pande as DIG Bardhaman, Kongkar Prasad Barui as DIG Presidency Range, and Anjali Singh as DIG Jalpaiguri Range. The newly appointed DIGs are instructed to assume charge by Thursday, 11 am, and submit reports to the Election Commission regarding their new postings.

The reshuffle comes amid growing concerns over electoral management and impartial enforcement of law and order, and has already drawn reactions from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Several senior police officials, including the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and district Superintendents of Police, were also instructed to be replaced immediately, marking a comprehensive restructuring of the state police administration before the polls.

The Election Commission is deploying 84 police observers from across India, including states like Bihar, Telangana, Delhi, and Punjab, to monitor election-related security and law enforcement activities. Furthermore, for each of the 294 Assembly constituencies, one general observer has been appointed, along with a significant increase in the number of observers tasked with monitoring election expenditure and financial compliance. These officials are expected to arrive in West Bengal starting Wednesday, ensuring that the election process is closely monitored across all districts.

The Commission’s move reflects its proactive approach to maintain neutrality and transparency in the lead-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, emphasizing both administrative oversight and strict monitoring of security and financial conduct during the electoral process.