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West Bengal CEO Gets Y-Plus CISF Security Amid Sensitive Voter Roll Revision

The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided Y-plus category armed CISF security to West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal, following a threat perception report. This security cover coincides with the sensitive hearing phase of the Special Intensive Revision drive to update electoral rolls ahead of elections. The revision involves verifying nearly 32 lakh "unmapped" electors who could not trace their registration in the 2002 rolls. With thousands of officials engaged in the process, the Centre's move aims to ensure the safety of the state's top election official during this politically charged exercise.

Key Points: MHA Grants Y-Plus CISF Security to West Bengal CEO

  • Y-plus armed CISF security
  • Threat perception during electoral revision
  • Special Intensive Revision drive
  • Public hearings for unmapped voters
2 min read

MHA provides 'Y+' category armed CISF security to West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal

MHA provides armed CISF security to West Bengal CEO amid threat perception during intensive voter roll revision and public hearings.

"The security cover has been granted based on a threat perception report prepared by intelligence agencies. – Officials"

New Delhi, December 28

The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided the Central Industrial Security Force's 'Y-plus' category armed security cover to West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, officials said.

The security cover has been granted based on a threat perception report prepared by intelligence agencies.

The security cover came into effect on Friday, coinciding with the start of the hearing process under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, a crucial exercise aimed at updating and cleaning electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections.

With the revision process entering a sensitive phase involving claims, objections, and public hearings, the Centre has stepped in to ensure the safety of the state's top election official.

Under the new arrangement, CISF personnel will provide round-the-clock security to the CEO during his movements across West Bengal, at his office, and at his residence. The Y-plus category security includes armed commandos and close-protection officers, reflecting heightened concerns about potential threats during the politically charged electoral exercise.

The Special Intensive Revision is being conducted across West Bengal to verify voter details, remove duplicate and ineligible entries, and ensure the electoral rolls remain accurate and inclusive. The exercise involves booth-level officers, electoral registration officers, and hearings at multiple levels to address complaints related to inclusion, deletion, or correction of voter names.

The hearing phase for the ongoing SIR started on December 27 for nearly 32 lakh electors in West Bengal who could not trace themselves, their parents, or their grandparents in the 2002 electoral roll.

During the hearing phase, identification documents of these 'unmapped' electors will be recorded and verified by election officials. This phase will conclude on February 7, 2026.

Each Assembly constituency is likely to have 11 hearing tables across multiple venues, like schools or government offices.

Cumulatively, 294 electoral registration officers, 3,200 assistant electoral registration officers, 4,600 micro-observers and over 80,000 booth-level officers will be engaged in the hearing process across the State, sources in the CEO's office said. The Election Commission of India recently appointed micro-observers from existing Group B Central government staff in West Bengal and has been tasked to scrutinise the hearing process in West Bengal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While security for officials is important, one has to wonder why the situation has reached such a point. This sends a worrying message about the political atmosphere in the state. Hope the revision process is completed fairly and peacefully. 🤞
S
Suresh O
Good move by MHA. Cleaning the electoral rolls is a massive and sensitive task, especially with 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters. The CEO needs to be protected from any pressure or intimidation. Jai Hind!
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Ananya R
The scale of this operation is mind-boggling - 80,000 booth-level officers! It's a huge administrative challenge. Providing security to the top official is just one part. Hope all the ground-level staff are also safe and can work without interference.
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David E
Observing from outside, this seems like a standard procedure to safeguard an electoral process during a tense period. The involvement of central forces for security often happens in federal systems when state law and order is a concern. The focus should remain on a free and fair revision.
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Kavya N
With all due respect, this also feels like an overreach sometimes. If there's a genuine threat, fine. But often such central moves are seen as political messaging in the state. The state police are capable too. Hope the security is based purely on intelligence and not optics.
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