New Delhi: The West Bengal Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, a senior 1994-batch IAS officer, has submitted a compliance report to the Election Commission of India (EC), addressing directives related to enhanced remuneration for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and action against officials who violated election rules during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Compliance Report Submitted on Time
According to EC officials, the report was submitted before the 5:00 PM deadline on Monday, 17 February 2026. “The Commission, currently on a review visit to Assam, will examine the report upon its return,” an official said.
IAS Chakraborty, who assumed charge as Chief Secretary in January 2026, was called by the EC to discuss pending election-related issues and ensure that the state government complies with its directives ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, scheduled in the next two months.
Read also: Bengal Chief Secretary Summoned by Election Commission Amid Escalating Row Over Voter Roll Revision
EC Directives: BLO Remuneration and Accountability
During a meeting with Chakravarty on 13 February 2026, the EC asked the West Bengal government to:
- Release the enhanced remuneration for BLOs and their supervisors without further delay.
- Lodge FIRs against officials who wilfully violated norms during the SIR exercise.
The Commission had earlier highlighted that the state had delayed payment of the revised honorarium for BLOs and additional payments for officials involved in the voter list revision.
Details of Enhanced BLO Payments
In August 2025, the EC had doubled the annual BLO remuneration from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 and increased the payment for BLO supervisors from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000. Additionally, an honorarium was approved for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant EROs (AEROs) to strengthen ground-level election management.
The EC emphasized that timely payment, combined with accountability measures like FIRs against erring officials, is critical to ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral process.
Significance Ahead of Assembly Elections
The compliance review is part of the EC’s effort to ensure clean and updated voter rolls, smooth election operations, and adherence to rules by state officials. Officials say the EC’s evaluation of West Bengal’s report will provide a clear picture of the state’s preparedness for the upcoming Assembly polls.
Read also: Election Commission Briefs 14 West Bengal IAS Officers as Central Observers for Upcoming Polls
