Election Commission of India Appoints N.K. Mishra as Special Observer for West Bengal SIR 2026 Ahead of Assembly Polls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer N.K. Mishra as Special Observer to supervise the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal in preparation for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections.
The decision is aimed at ensuring that the revision exercise — which commenced in December last year — is conducted strictly in accordance with the Commission’s guidelines. In addition to overseeing the electoral roll update, Mishra will also monitor overall poll preparedness and submit recommendations to the Commission where necessary.
Mandate and Responsibilities of the Special Observer
In its communication regarding the appointment, the Commission clarified that Mishra will exercise full authority to ensure compliance with ECI directives during the SIR process.
His responsibilities include:
Supervising the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Monitoring preparedness for the 2026 Assembly elections.
Providing inputs and formal recommendations to the Commission for corrective or preventive action where required.
Coordinating all official visits with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, who will extend logistical and protocol support.
Refraining from issuing appreciation letters directly to election officials; any commendation proposals must be routed through the Commission with detailed justification.
As per the notified schedule:
The extended deadline for hearings on claims and objections to the draft electoral roll expires on February 15.
Scrutiny of documents submitted during hearings will continue until February 21.
The final electoral roll will be published on February 28, marking the completion of the SIR exercise.
Profile of N.K. Mishra
N.K. Mishra is a retired 1988-batch IPS officer of the Sikkim cadre, widely regarded for his expertise in internal security and intelligence operations.
Key Career Highlights
Director General of Police (DGP), Sikkim: Mishra served as DGP of Sikkim, taking additional charge in December 2021 while holding the post of Special DGP (Home Guards and Civil Defence).
Intelligence Bureau (IB): During central deputation, he served as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, handling critical intelligence and internal security assignments.
EC Special Observer (2026 West Bengal Elections): Following his retirement, he was appointed by the Commission in February 2026 to oversee voter list revision and ensure the conduct of free and fair elections. He is the sixth roll observer designated for West Bengal in the current election cycle.
Personal Background
Mishra hails from Naugachhia in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. Over a career spanning more than 33 years, he has held significant operational and administrative responsibilities in both state policing and central intelligence frameworks.
Significance of the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a critical exercise aimed at updating and verifying electoral rolls to ensure transparency, accuracy, and inclusivity. The process includes:
Verification of existing voter entries.
Inclusion of newly eligible voters.
Disposal of claims and objections submitted by citizens.
With the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections approaching, the SIR assumes heightened importance to ensure that every eligible voter is accurately reflected in the rolls and that the electoral process remains credible.
Strengthening Electoral Oversight
The ECI has been closely monitoring electoral roll revisions nationwide to uphold the integrity of the democratic process. The appointment of a seasoned officer such as N.K. Mishra underscores the Commission’s emphasis on transparency, compliance, and institutional oversight.
Given his extensive background in policing and intelligence, Mishra’s oversight is expected to reinforce procedural adherence, minimise irregularities, and ensure that the final electoral rolls are comprehensive and reliable.
SIR 2026 Timeline at a Glance
December 2025: Special Intensive Revision commenced.
February 15, 2026: Deadline for hearings on claims and objections.
February 21, 2026: Completion of document scrutiny.
February 28, 2026: Publication of the final electoral roll.
