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ECI Deputes Two More WB IAS Officers as Central Observers Amid Poll Preps

The Election Commission of India has deputed two West Bengal cadre IAS officers, Priyanka Singla and P. Mohangandhi, as central observers to other states. This decision follows earlier moves where the ECI removed and reassigned other senior Bengal bureaucrats, including the former Home Secretary and Chief Secretary. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized these removals and wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner objecting to the actions. The two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and April 29, with results due on May 4.

Key Points: ECI Sends WB IAS Officers as Central Observers for Elections

  • ECI deputes two WB cadre IAS officers
  • Officers are Priyanka Singla and P. Mohangandhi
  • Follows earlier removals of senior officials
  • Mamata Banerjee criticised the ECI actions
  • Two-phase WB polls set for late April
2 min read

ECI deputes two more IAS officers from West Bengal cadre as central observers

Election Commission deputes two West Bengal cadre IAS officers as central observers to other states amid ongoing poll preparations and administrative changes.

"West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had strongly criticised the removal of Chakrabarty and Meena - Report"

Kolkata, March 18

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday decided to depute two Indian Administrative Service officers of the West Bengal cadre, both holding the rank of departmental secretaries, as central observers to other states.

One of the two officers is Priyanka Singla, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, currently posted as Special Secretary in the state Civil Defence and Disaster Management Department.

The other is P. Mohangandhi, a 2004-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, currently posted as Secretary in the state Commerce and Industries Department.

Earlier in the day, the ECI had also decided to depute Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Antara Acharya and Food Processing Secretary Parvez Ahmed Siddique as central observers to other poll-bound states.

However, both Siddique and Acharya had requested the ECI to reconsider the decision, citing administrative workload in their respective departments.

Earlier, on March 17, Jagdish Prasad Meena, the then West Bengal Home Secretary, who was removed from the post by the ECI hours after it announced the two-phase polls in the state, was later shifted by the Commission to Tamil Nadu as a central poll observer.

The Commission had also removed the then West Bengal Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakrabarty, from the post on the same night the polling dates were announced, and barred her from involvement in the election process in the state.

While Dushyant Nariala replaced Chakrabarty, Shanghamitra Ghosh replaced Meena. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had strongly criticised the removal of Chakrabarty and Meena and had also written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, raising objections.

The two-phase polls in West Bengal will be held on April 23 and April 29. The results will be announced on May 4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the back-and-forth. Officers requesting reconsideration due to workload is understandable, but the ECI must ensure its orders are followed for the integrity of the process. The timing is very tight with polls next month.
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Ananya R
While I support the ECI's authority, removing the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary just after announcing dates seems very abrupt. It disrupts state administration. Couldn't this have been planned and communicated better? There has to be a balance.
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Vikram M
This is standard ECI procedure during elections to ensure neutrality. Officers from one state go as observers to another. It's a good system that has worked for years. The political reactions are just noise.
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Priya S
Good to see capable officers like Priyanka Singla being given this responsibility. Hope the observers ensure a level playing field. Bengal elections are always high-decibel, we need a peaceful and fair process. 🙏
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Michael C
The article shows the immense logistical challenge of running elections in India. Transferring senior bureaucrats across states is a huge task. Kudos to the EC for managing this complex machinery.

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