Kolkata: In a significant administrative move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has struck down the West Bengal government’s decision to transfer three IAS officers, dealing a major setback to the Mamata Banerjee administration. The transferred officers were actively involved in the Special Summary Revision (SSR) process of the voter list in the state.
The ECI has ordered the reinstatement of the officers to their original postings by 3 PM on Wednesday, issuing a strict 19-hour ultimatum for compliance.
Officers Transferred Amid Ongoing Voter List Revision
The West Bengal government had recently moved three IAS officers who were directly overseeing the SSR exercise, a critical process to update and verify the electoral rolls. According to Election Commission rules, officers engaged in voter list revision cannot be transferred without prior approval from the commission.
By bypassing this rule, the state government’s action was deemed a violation of electoral norms, prompting swift intervention from the ECI.
Election Commission Takes Strict Action
In response, the Election Commission rejected the state’s transfer order, stating that it had disregarded established rules by reassigning officers involved in the ongoing SSR work.
The ECI has explicitly instructed the Chief Secretary of West Bengal to ensure the officers are immediately reinstated to their previous roles. Additionally, the commission has mandated that a compliance report be submitted by 3 PM on January 28, 2026, leaving little room for delay.
Renewed Tensions Between ECI and Mamata Government
This latest development marks another episode of confrontation between the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government and the Election Commission of India. The reinstatement order underscores the commission’s authority in matters related to electoral administration, particularly when the SSR process is in progress.
The SSR is a crucial exercise aimed at updating voter rolls and ensuring fair and transparent elections. Any disruption or unauthorized transfer of officials handling this process can compromise the integrity of electoral rolls, a concern highlighted by the ECI in its directive.
