Election Commission Shifts 173 Police Station Heads In Bengal Before Elections
EC transfers Bengal police heads to ensure fair polls
The Election Commission of India has ordered the transfer of 173 police station heads across West Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, in one of the most extensive administrative reshuffles aimed at ensuring a level playing field during polling.The directive covers officers-in-charge (OCs) and inspectors-in-charge (ICs) across the state, including 31 officials under Kolkata Police. Key constituencies such as Bhabanipur in Kolkata and Nandigram in Purba Medinipur — both politically sensitive and closely watched seats — are among those affected by the changes.
Officials said the large-scale transfers are part of standard pre-election measures designed to maintain neutrality in law enforcement and prevent any local influence that could impact the fairness of the electoral process. The reshuffle spans multiple districts including Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas, reflecting the breadth of the exercise.
In Kolkata, several prominent police stations — including Alipore, Entally, Jorasanko, Gariahat, New Market, and Tollygunge — have seen leadership changes. In other districts, fresh postings have been made in areas such as Haldia, Kolaghat, Egra, and Patashpur, with officers reassigned to oversee law and order during the election period.
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The move comes alongside parallel administrative changes, including the transfer of block development officers (BDOs) and assistant returning officers in multiple districts. These officials play a crucial role in managing polling logistics and conducting elections at the grassroots level, further underscoring the Commission’s push for administrative neutrality.
The reshuffle is part of a broader series of interventions by the Election Commission in poll-bound West Bengal, where earlier changes included transfers of senior IAS and IPS officers. These steps have been taken against the backdrop of political tensions and allegations over administrative influence, with authorities stressing that the objective remains to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.West Bengal’s 294-member Assembly is set to go to the polls in two phases, and the Commission’s latest action highlights its focus on tightening oversight and ensuring that law enforcement agencies function impartially during the electoral process.
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