The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday has taken a firm stand on the Central Observers Briefing Meeting, rejecting a request from Nabanna, the West Bengal state secretariat, and directing all 25 IAS and IPS officers, including the Home Secretary, from the state cadre to attend the scheduled training session.
The Commission has summoned the officers, including Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena (JP Meena), for the briefing meeting of central observers scheduled to be held on February 5 and 6, 2026. The ECI has made it clear that all exemption requests submitted earlier have been considered and rejected, and attendance at the meeting is mandatory.
Earlier, the Commission had released a list of 25 senior West Bengal cadre officers appointed as central observers for the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The list comprises 15 IAS and 10 IPS officers, including the serving Home Secretary. Following this, Nabanna had appealed to the ECI to reconsider the decision.
The state government argued that deputing senior administrative officers outside West Bengal during the election period could adversely affect law and order and overall administrative management. It particularly expressed concern over the deployment of the Home Secretary, stating that his absence could create difficulties in handling sensitive situations. On this ground, the state proposed alternative names and sought exemption for 17 officers.
However, the Election Commission, in its communication issued on Wednesday, categorically stated that it would not entertain any such requests. The Commission instructed that all officers for whom exemption had been sought must attend the briefing meeting on the scheduled dates and times. It also directed that this decision be communicated immediately to all concerned officers to avoid any confusion at different administrative levels.
According to sources, following the Commission’s decision, Nabanna has instructed the Home Secretary and the remaining 24 officers to make necessary preparations for attending the training session.
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