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ECI Sets Feb 15 Deadline for Bengal Police Transfers Amid Poll Prep

The Election Commission of India has issued a fresh directive to the West Bengal government, mandating the completion of police officer transfers by February 15 and requiring a compliance report. This marks the second such communication from the ECI on this matter ahead of the crucial state Assembly elections. Concurrently, the Supreme Court has extended the deadline for finalizing the electoral rolls, pushing the publication of the final voters' list past February 21 but before the end of the month. Following the list's publication, the full ECI bench will visit the state to assess the situation before announcing the poll dates.

Key Points: ECI Directs Bengal to Complete Police Transfers by Feb 15

  • ECI's second directive on police transfers
  • Feb 15 deadline for compliance
  • Supreme Court extends voter list scrutiny
  • Final electoral rolls due before month-end
2 min read

ECI issues second directive to Bengal on police transfers ahead of polls

Election Commission issues second directive for police transfers in West Bengal before Assembly polls, as Supreme Court extends voter list deadline.

"the date for publication of the final voters' list will not be before February 21 - insider in CEO's office"

Kolkata, Feb 9

The Election Commission of India has sent a fresh communication to the West Bengal government, asking it to complete the process of transfer of police officers at various levels in the state by February 15, amid the crucial Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

The communication has been sent to the office of the Additional Chief Electoral Officer (ACEO), West Bengal, and forwarded to the office of the Additional Chief Secretary of the state Home and Hill Affairs Department, sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said.

In the communication, the state government has been advised to complete the police transfer process by February 15 and submit a compliance report to the Commission.

This is the second such communication from the Commission in the matter. Earlier in January, the ECI had sent a similar directive to the state government, asking it to complete the police transfer process at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) in response to the ECI's allegations of intimidation and disruption during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant also directed that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) be granted at least one additional week beyond February 14 to complete scrutiny and take appropriate decisions.

Initially, February 7 had been fixed as the deadline for completing hearings on claims and objections to the draft electoral rolls, while February 14 was scheduled for the publication of the final voters' list.

"So, following the Supreme Court's order this morning, the date for publication of the final voters' list will not be before February 21. However, the final list will definitely be published before the end of this month," an insider in the CEO's office said.

After the publication of the final voters' list, the full Bench of the Commission will visit West Bengal to take stock of the situation. Soon thereafter, the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections in the state, scheduled later this year, will be announced.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's concerning that the Supreme Court had to step in regarding intimidation during voter list revision. The extension for the final list is necessary, but the core issue of a secure environment for electoral officials needs to be fixed first.
P
Priyanka N
Good move by ECI and SC! 🗳️ Every vote counts and the process must be clean. If police officers are seen as partisan, public trust evaporates. Hope the transfers happen smoothly before the 15th. The whole country is watching Bengal.
A
Aman W
While I support the ECI's authority, I hope this process doesn't demoralize the entire police force. Not every officer is problematic. Transfers should be based on specific, verified intelligence, not a blanket order. Just my respectful two cents.
K
Kavya N
The timeline is getting very tight. Final voters list by month-end, then ECI visit, then dates announced. Elections are a massive exercise. All parties must cooperate now for a smooth process. Bengal needs a peaceful poll, baad mein jo bhi result aaye.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the constitutional bodies at work. The show-cause notice to the DGP is a serious step. It underscores that the rule of law must prevail over political considerations, especially during elections. A crucial test for Indian democracy.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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