Election Commission of India (ECI) looks to strengthen Chief Electoral Officer ahead of Assembly polls
With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls nearing, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has gone ahead to strengthen the autonomy and functioning of the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in the state. In a firm directive, the ECI has asked the West Bengal government to totally decouple the CEO's office from administrative and financial control of the state Home and Hill Affairs Department.
Today, the office of the CEO exists as a junior wing within the Home and Hill Affairs Department, which is administered by a Principal Secretary-level officer, whereas the CEO has the rank of Additional Chief Secretary. The ECI found this disparity in rank and denial of financial and administrative independence an impediment to the CEO to run elections freely and effectively.
To rectify this, the Election Commission has directed the establishment of an independent Election Department in West Bengal. It would be independent of other state government departments and have an independent dedicated budget head. Accommodating the CEO with full financial powers akin to those of other Additional Chief Secretaries or Principal Secretaries is regarded as key for the office's functional and institutional independence.
The directive also comprises the appointment of an independent Financial Advisor to help the CEO with administrative tasks. The ECI has also requested the state government to appoint four important vacant positions in the CEO office—viz. Additional, Joint, and Deputy CEOs—to enhance institutional readiness for the election.
The office of the CEO geared up for a special intensive revision (SIR) of the voters' list, a key electoral activity to revise and authenticate voter information. Training of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) has already begun, indicating the Election Commission's proactive approach towards administrative preparedness.
Furthermore, the ECI intends to shift the office of the West Bengal CEO from its present congested facility at the Balmer Lawrie building on Strand Road, Dalhousie, to a larger Central Government building in Kolkata ahead of the Durga Puja celebration in September-October. The relocation would be to provide space for the growing personnel and to overcome logistical issues including lack of parking spaces.
The government of West Bengal is contemplating approaching a lawyer for opinions on the directive, illustrative of mutual tensions. Nevertheless, the ECI has underlined the fact that according to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the CEO's office is a constitutional authority which must be independent of any control by a state government in order to ensure free and fair elections.
Political analysts point out that this initiative by the ECI follows increased scrutiny of the polling process in West Bengal, particularly following the controversial SIR exercise and communal tensions in the state. Some parties, including the BJP, have appreciated the directive expecting it to bring down state government intervention and enhance the fairness and transparency of the elections.
Overall, the ECI’s push for full autonomy of the CEO office marks a significant step in reinforcing the institutional integrity of electoral administration in West Bengal as the state moves closer to its crucial 2026 Assembly elections.
