ECI–West Bengal Standoff: Mamata Government Submits Alternative List of IAS and IPS Officers for Election Observer Duties
In a decisive late-night move, the West Bengal government has submitted an alternative roster of nine IAS and eight IPS officers to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for appointment as central observers in the upcoming assembly elections. This development comes just a day after the ECI had announced its own list of 15 IAS and 10 IPS officers from West Bengal to serve as observers in five poll-bound states—West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
Mamata Government Seeks Replacements
According to sources, the Mamata Banerjee-led administration requested the ECI to consider its nominees as replacements for those initially selected by the Commission. The original list included senior officials such as West Bengal Home Secretary Jagdeesh Prasad Meena and Howrah Police Commissioner Praveen Kumar Tripathy, who were designated for key observer roles.
The state’s intervention follows reports that two IPS officers—Bharat Lal Meena and Rishikesh Meena—were unable to join the assignment due to medical reasons. To ensure uninterrupted representation in the electoral process, the government proposed an alternative set of officers.
Mandatory Orientation and Compliance Pressure
All officers appointed by the ECI are required to attend a two-day orientation programme scheduled for February 5 and 6 in New Delhi, organized by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). The training will be overseen by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Ahead of the programme, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal issued a stern directive on January 27, warning officers of strict disciplinary action if they failed to attend. ECI sources revealed that the Commission had been requesting nominations from the state government since November 2025, but Nabanna’s response was allegedly delayed. After repeated reminders, the Commission eventually wrote directly to CEO Agarwal to expedite the process.
Controversy Over IAS Transfers
The standoff is part of a broader tussle between the state administration and the ECI. Just days earlier, the poll body directed the West Bengal government to cancel the transfers of three senior IAS officers—Ashwini Kumar Yadav, Randhir Kumar, and Smita Pandey—who had been moved from critical roles in the Special Identification Roll (SIR) process.
The state government defended its decision, stating that the officers had been reassigned to less critical responsibilities and that their transfers would not disrupt ongoing administrative functions. This contradicted speculation that the Mamata government might openly challenge the ECI’s directive.
ECI Criticism Over Administrative Delay
ECI sources have criticized the West Bengal government for its delayed response in submitting replacement nominations. The Commission has consistently emphasized the importance of timely appointments to ensure smooth deployment of central observers across multiple states. The delay has also intensified scrutiny of the state’s administrative coordination with the poll panel.
Implications for Election Management
The ongoing back-and-forth between the ECI and the West Bengal government underscores the complexities of deploying senior officers for election duties in a politically sensitive environment. By submitting an alternative list, the Mamata administration seeks to balance state-level administrative continuity with the requirements of the central electoral process.
The move ensures that experienced IAS and IPS officers will be available to serve as observers in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, while simultaneously addressing the state’s internal administrative needs.
