Kolkata, July 23, 2025 – In a significant move aimed at ensuring free and fair elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to declare the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) an independent body, completely delinked from the state’s Home and Hill Affairs Department. The directive, issued ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, emphasizes the need for greater administrative and financial autonomy for the CEO’s office to ensure impartial conduct of elections.

In a letter dated July 22, 2025, sent by ECI Under Secretary Ashutosh M. to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, the ECI highlighted the current limitations faced by the CEO’s office. The letter noted that the CEO, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, who holds the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, operates as a subordinate branch under the Home and Hill Affairs Department, which is led by a Principal Secretary-level officer. Additionally, the CEO’s office functions with limited financial powers, relying on a minor permanent advance from the Finance Department, which restricts its operational independence.

Key Directives from the ECI

To address these concerns, the ECI has issued the following directives to the West Bengal government:

1. Creation of a Separate Election Department: The ECI has called for the establishment of a dedicated Election Department, fully independent from any other state government department. This department will have its own budget head to ensure complete financial and administrative autonomy for the CEO, which the ECI deems essential for conducting elections impartially and effectively.
2. Enhanced Financial Powers for the CEO: The ECI has recommended that the CEO be vested with financial powers equivalent to those of Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, or Secretary-level officers in other departments. This will enable the CEO to manage election-related expenditures without dependence on other state departments.
3. Appointment of a Financial Advisor: The ECI has proposed the appointment of a separate Financial Advisor to assist the CEO in discharging official responsibilities efficiently.
4. Filling Vacant Posts: The ECI has urged the state government to fill four vacant posts—Additional CEO, Joint CEO, and two Deputy CEOs—in consultation with the Commission. This step is seen as critical to ensuring institutional preparedness and seamless coordination ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Context and Political Reactions

The ECI’s directive comes at a time of heightened political tension, particularly in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The ECI recently reported that over 52.3 lakh voters in Bihar—approximately 6.62% of the state’s electorate—were found to be either deceased, shifted, enrolled in multiple locations, or untraceable. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has strongly opposed a similar exercise in the state, alleging that it could be misused to disenfranchise certain voter groups. Banerjee has even threatened to “gherao” the ECI if such a revision is implemented in West Bengal.

The TMC has criticized the ECI’s directive, with state vice-president and spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar claiming that the Commission is attempting to manipulate voter lists to favor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “ECI is doing whatever it feels like to give advantage to the BJP in the election by manipulating the voters’ list. They are totally biased,” Majumdar said.

Conversely, the BJP has welcomed the ECI’s move, arguing that it will help curb alleged electoral malpractices. Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha stated, “It is very obvious that names of Bangladeshi and illegal voters will be deleted from the voters’ list. ECI’s office in the state should be allowed to work independently. The ECI has made a very important move to allow the CEO’s office to function without having to depend on the state.”

Public and Expert Opinions

The ECI’s directive has sparked varied reactions on social media platforms like X. Some users have hailed the move as a step toward restoring trust in the electoral process. One user commented, “Much-needed step by the Election Commission. Making the State Election Commission truly independent is a positive move for fair and transparent elections in West Bengal.” Others expressed skepticism about the state government’s willingness to implement the directive, citing its history of resisting central interventions.

Experts have noted that the dual role of the CEO as an ex-officio Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department creates a conflict of interest, undermining the neutrality required for election oversight. The ECI’s push for a separate Election Department is seen as a crucial step to align West Bengal’s electoral framework with constitutional standards, as outlined in Article 324, which mandates the ECI’s superintendence, direction, and control over elections.

Implications for the 2026 Assembly Elections

With the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for next year, the ECI’s directive is seen as a proactive measure to strengthen institutional autonomy and ensure a level playing field. The creation of a separate Election Department with its own budget and staffing could streamline election-related operations and reduce dependence on state machinery, which has often been accused of bias by opposition parties.

However, the directive has also intensified the ongoing political tug-of-war between the ECI and the TMC-led state government. The success of this initiative will depend on the state’s compliance and the ECI’s ability to enforce its recommendations without escalating political tensions.

Conclusion

The ECI’s call for an independent Election Department in West Bengal marks a pivotal moment in the state’s electoral history. By addressing the structural and financial constraints faced by the CEO’s office, the Commission aims to uphold the integrity of the democratic process. As the 2026 elections approach, all eyes will be on how the West Bengal government responds to these directives and whether this move will pave the way for a more transparent and impartial electoral process.