West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty Files Detailed Compliance Report with Election Commission on BLO Honorarium Disbursal and Disciplinary Measures Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections
In a significant administrative development ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, Nandini Chakraborty, has formally submitted a comprehensive compliance report to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The report addresses key directives issued by the Commission concerning the release of enhanced remuneration for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the initiation of punitive action against officials accused of breaching electoral norms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Report Submitted Within Prescribed Deadline
Sources within the Commission confirmed that the compliance document was submitted before the stipulated deadline of 5:00 PM on Monday, 17 February 2026. An official indicated that the Commission, which is presently on an official review tour in Assam, will undertake a detailed examination of the West Bengal government’s response upon its return.
The timely submission assumes importance in view of the Commission’s heightened monitoring of poll preparedness in states heading for elections. The compliance filing is seen as a procedural yet crucial step in ensuring that administrative instructions issued by the constitutional authority are executed in letter and spirit.
Chief Secretary’s Meeting with Election Commission
Ms. Chakraborty, a senior Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1994 batch who assumed office as Chief Secretary in January 2026, was earlier summoned by the Commission for consultations on unresolved election-related matters. The meeting focused on aligning the state government’s administrative machinery with the Commission’s directives, particularly in the context of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held within the next two months.
During the interaction held on 13 February 2026, the Commission reportedly conveyed its concern over pending issues linked to electoral roll revision and the payment of statutory honorarium to grassroots-level election functionaries.
Key Directives Issued by the Commission
At the meeting, the Election Commission directed the West Bengal government to undertake two immediate actions:
Ensure prompt disbursal of the enhanced remuneration approved for Booth Level Officers and their supervisory staff, without further procedural delay.
Initiate the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against officials found to have wilfully violated established norms during the Special Intensive Revision process.
The Commission had earlier flagged delays in the payment of revised honoraria to BLOs and additional compensation to personnel engaged in the voter list revision exercise. It underscored that such delays could adversely impact the efficiency and morale of field-level election workers entrusted with maintaining the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Enhanced Remuneration Structure for Election Officials
In August 2025, the Commission revised the compensation framework for key grassroots election functionaries. The annual remuneration for Booth Level Officers was doubled from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000. Similarly, the honorarium for BLO supervisors was enhanced from ₹12,000 to ₹18,000 per annum.
In addition, a structured honorarium mechanism was introduced for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) to reinforce election management at the constituency level. These financial enhancements were intended to strengthen administrative efficiency, incentivize accountability, and ensure meticulous implementation of electoral roll revisions.
The Commission has maintained that timely payment of approved remuneration is integral to preserving the credibility and effectiveness of the electoral process. It has further emphasized that disciplinary accountability, including the filing of FIRs where warranted, is essential to deter procedural lapses and uphold institutional integrity.
Context: Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
The ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise forms a critical preparatory step before major elections. The process involves the verification, correction, and updating of voter lists to eliminate inaccuracies, remove ineligible entries, and incorporate newly eligible voters.
Given the politically sensitive nature of electoral roll management, the Commission has adopted a closely supervised approach in West Bengal. The compliance report submitted by the state government is expected to clarify the status of honorarium disbursals, administrative actions taken against erring officials, and corrective steps implemented to ensure adherence to electoral guidelines.
Significance Ahead of Assembly Polls
With Assembly elections approaching in West Bengal, the Commission’s scrutiny reflects its broader mandate to guarantee free, fair, and transparent polls. The evaluation of the state’s compliance report will likely shape the Commission’s assessment of administrative preparedness, operational efficiency, and institutional discipline within the state’s election machinery.
Officials suggest that the Commission’s findings following its review of the submitted report will offer a clearer indication of West Bengal’s readiness to conduct elections in strict conformity with constitutional standards and established electoral protocols.
As the election calendar advances, the focus remains on ensuring updated voter rolls, streamlined field-level coordination, and uncompromised adherence to procedural safeguards — factors that collectively determine the integrity of the democratic exercise.
