The Election Commission of India made big changes in West Bengal just days ago. This happened right after it announced dates for the 2026 assembly elections. Many senior officers lost their posts. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called these moves unfair and said they target only Bengal. She wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner too. Here is a clear look at what happened, based only on reports from trusted newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, Times of India and others.
The assembly elections in West Bengal will happen in two phases. People will vote on April 23 and April 29, 2026. Vote counting is set for May 4. The model code of conduct started as soon as dates came out. Within hours, the Election Commission ordered big shifts in top jobs. It removed the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police and Kolkata Police Commissioner. New officers took their places at once.
More changes followed. In the next few days, the poll body moved 13 IAS officers, 19 IPS officers, 10 district magistrates, five DIGs and many superintendents of police. Reports say the total crossed 50 senior officials. The Election Commission said these steps are normal to keep elections free and fair. It told the state government to put the old officers on non-election work till polls end. New officers like Dushyant Nariala became Chief Secretary and Sanghamitra Ghosh took charge as Home Secretary. DGP Peeyush Pandey was replaced by Siddh Nath Gupta. Kolkata Police got a new commissioner too.
Why the Election Commission took these steps
The poll body said it reviewed how ready the state was for polls. It wanted strong control so no one doubts the process. In every state before big elections, the Commission shifts officers to stop any favouritism. But in West Bengal this time the number and speed surprised many. Some officers who left their posts were later sent as election observers to other states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Commission said this keeps them away from Bengal duties. About 17 officers went as observers in total.
The Commission also moved officers from key agencies like Intelligence Bureau, Special Task Force and CID. This raised questions about state security during polls. Later, the poll body put on hold the transfer of five officers. These included Police Commissioners of Siliguri and Bidhannagar plus some from IB and STF. People said these two big cities were left without heads for a day. After the mistake was noticed, the Commission corrected it quickly. The five officers can now stay back for now.
Mamata Banerjee’s strong reaction
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke out clearly. She posted on social media and wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner. Her words match what many people in the state are talking about. She said, “The manner in which the Election Commission has singled out and targeted Bengal is not just unprecedented – it is deeply alarming. Even before the formal notification of elections, more than 50 senior officials including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, ADGs, IGs, DIGs, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been summarily and arbitrarily removed. This is not administrative action rather this is political interference of the highest order.”
She added that this hurts the Constitution and shows bias. Mamata Banerjee also spoke about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. She said the process is flawed and supplementary rolls are still not fully out even after Supreme Court orders. She asked why the BJP is so desperate to target Bengal. She said the party failed to win people’s trust so now it is trying to control the state through institutions. Mamata Banerjee stood with all the officers and their families. She said Bengal will fight and win against any unfair plan.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and why it matters
The Election Commission started a big drive to clean voter lists in West Bengal and some other states. This is called Special Intensive Revision 2026. Booth level officers visited every house. They checked forms and removed names of dead people, those who moved away or duplicates. The draft list came in December 2025. The final list was published on February 28, 2026 with about 6.44 crore voters. More than 60 lakh names stayed under check for final decision.
Many people went to Supreme Court saying the process removed real voters wrongly. The court heard the cases. It allowed the revision to go on but gave extra time for checking documents. It also said supplementary lists must come out even after the main list. The court said names added in supplements will count as part of the final roll. As of March 20, 2026 the first supplementary list of cleared names is expected soon. This has left many citizens worried about their voting rights. The Election Commission says the drive makes lists clean and true. It removed over 58 lakh names in early stages for valid reasons like death or shifting.
Supreme Court role and current status
The top court stepped in more than once. It told both the state and Election Commission to give full support to judges handling claims. Over 10 lakh objections and claims were decided. The court made sure no one loses the vote without proper check. Even now, work on pending cases goes on. The Commission follows court orders fully. Latest reports say the first batch of supplementary names may come out any day. This will clear doubts for lakhs of people.
BJP and other reactions
The Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the Election Commission steps. Its leaders said transfers are routine and needed for honest polls. They said the state government should not question the poll body’s neutrality. Some BJP leaders pointed to past complaints of violence and pressure on officials in Bengal during earlier elections. JD(U) also criticised Mamata Banerjee for attacking the Commission. They said such statements hurt trust in democratic institutions. The Trinamool Congress staged a walkout in Rajya Sabha to protest the changes.
The Election Commission kept transfer orders of five senior IPS officers on hold after the row over Siliguri and Bidhannagar. Ten other officers still left for observer duties in other states. The poll body also moved more IAS officers as central observers. Work on voter lists continues. The Commission says all actions follow rules and aim only at fair voting. No new transfers reported today but officials are busy with poll arrangements in every district.
What this means for the people of West Bengal
These changes affect daily governance. New officers must learn the state fast. Police and administration have new leaders at a sensitive time. Citizens wait for clear voter lists so they can vote without worry. Political parties are busy preparing. The coming weeks will show if the new team can keep peace and run smooth polls. Bengal has seen many elections. People here always value their vote. The Election Commission says its job is to protect that vote. The government says it will work with new officers for the best results.
The story is still developing. Both sides have their points. The Election Commission wants clean and fair polls. The state government wants no sudden big changes. The Supreme Court is watching to protect people’s rights. In the end, the real test will be on polling days when people of Bengal stand in lines to choose their leaders.
FAQs
Q1: How many officials were transferred by the Election Commission in West Bengal?
More than 50 senior officers including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, Kolkata CP, many DMs, SPs, ADGs, IGs and DIGs. The moves started hours after poll dates were announced on March 15-16, 2026. Exact numbers reported by media go up to 60 in some rounds of reshuffle. All changes were done with immediate effect.
Q2: Why did Mamata Banerjee call it political interference?
She said the scale and timing are unusual and target only Bengal. She pointed out that officers were removed even before formal election notification. She also linked it to the slow release of supplementary voter lists under SIR. In her statement she said this is an attempt to control the state through institutions after failing to win public trust.
Q3: What is the status of supplementary electoral rolls?
The main final roll came on February 28, 2026. Over 60 lakh names were under review. The Supreme Court ordered that supplementary lists must be published later too. As of March 20, 2026 the first supplementary list of cleared names is expected soon. Citizens can check names on the CEO West Bengal website or ECI app.
Q4: Were Siliguri and Bidhannagar left without police chiefs?
Yes, for a short time. Their Commissioners were named as observers in other states. No replacements were named at first. After criticism the Election Commission put those orders on hold. The two officers can stay in their posts for now.
Q5: Is sending officers as observers normal?
Yes, the Election Commission often deputes senior officers from one state to another as observers. But the sudden removal from important state posts and the number this time made it a big talking point in Bengal.
Q6: What does the Election Commission say about these transfers?
It says the steps are to ensure impartiality and better poll management. Officers moved out cannot handle election work in Bengal till polls are over. The Commission reviewed poll readiness and acted under its powers.