The Election Commission (EC) of India has initiated a fresh administrative reshuffle in poll-bound West Bengal, approving the transfer of 83 Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) across the state.
The decision, communicated to Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Sunday, comes shortly after the suspension of the Officer-in-Charge of Basanti Police Station over alleged lapses in handling a case of political violence.
According to Commission sources, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) had submitted a proposal on March 28 recommending the transfer of a batch of officials. After reviewing the proposal, the Commission approved the relocation of 83 officers.
The reshuffle spans multiple districts across North and South Bengal, including Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, and North Dinajpur. A significant number of officials have been moved from sensitive districts, with 14 transfers in East Medinipur, and 7 and 11 officials shifted from North and South 24 Parganas, respectively.
The Commission has also transferred two AROs posted in the Nandigram Assembly constituency, represented by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
Earlier, the Commission had taken action against Abhijit Pal, the Officer-in-Charge of Basanti Police Station, over alleged negligence during an incident of political violence in the Basanti Bazar area. He was suspended on March 27 for failing to deploy adequate security despite prior intelligence inputs, even as Central Armed Police Forces were present.
Such pre-election reshuffles are part of standard procedures aimed at ensuring neutrality among officials engaged in poll duties. The latest list indicates a focus on sensitive regions, including Dinhata in Cooch Behar, Ratua in Malda, and Raghunathganj in Murshidabad.
This move follows earlier action by the Commission transferring 73 Returning Officers, including one posted in Bhowanipore, the constituency represented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Within hours of announcing the poll schedule, the Commission had also ordered transfers at the top administrative level, including the State Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Commissioner of Police, along with Deputy Inspectors General in five regions.
According to sources, the latest round of transfers is aimed at maintaining law and order and ensuring administrative impartiality to facilitate free and fair elections in the state.
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