Amid escalating tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has flagged serious security concerns surrounding the office of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and sought the deployment of central armed police forces (CAPF).
In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday, the Commission referred to a breakdown of law and order outside the West Bengal CEO’s office on November 24 and 25 during the SIR process. According to the ECI, a crowd comprising booth-level officers and workers associated with a political party had surrounded the office premises, severely jeopardising the safety of officials and staff.
The Commission expressed apprehension that, given the sensitivity of the SIR exercise and the approach of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the possibility of similar incidents recurring in the future cannot be ruled out.
The ECI also noted that the CEO’s office is currently functioning from rented premises at the Balmer Lawrie building on Netaji Subhas Road in Kolkata. Citing security vulnerabilities, infrastructural shortcomings and administrative issues, the Commission said the office is set to be shifted shortly to Shipping House on Strand Road in the central Kolkata’s BBD Bagh area. In view of this transition, the ECI has requested immediate round-the-clock deployment of CAPF personnel at both the existing and upcoming office locations.
Sources indicated that the Commission’s letter followed a separate request from C. Murugan, Special Observer for SIR in West Bengal, who had sought central forces for the security of election observers. Murugan recently faced protests while inspecting the SIR process in Falta, South 24 Parganas, where he was reportedly surrounded by local women supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Also Read: EC’s SRO reviews SIR work in Bengal's South 24 Parganas
Following the Falta incident, Murugan wrote to the Election Commission in New Delhi, citing the protest and requesting enhanced security for all roll observers in the state. A copy of the letter was also sent to the CEO’s office. According to sources, the Commission has decided to strengthen security arrangements for observers during SIR hearings.
As part of the revised measures, security personnel will now accompany observers when they travel to districts for hearings related to the revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has currently appointed one Special Observer and twelve Roll Observers across West Bengal.
Sources within the Commission said that after the Falta incident, the ECI is unwilling to take further risks regarding the safety of its officials and observers, prompting the move to ensure adequate and enhanced security across the state.
Also Read: EC releases Bengal's SIR draft list, 58 lakh names deleted
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