The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a significant administrative reshuffle in West Bengal to ensure the conduct of fair, transparent, and peaceful elections. Following the announcement of the election schedule, the commission has ordered the immediate transfer of four senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. This move comes within 24 hours of the removal of the state's Chief Secretary and Home Secretary. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had previously assured that the commission would take all necessary steps to prevent electoral violence in the state.
Details of IPS Officer Reassignments
According to the directives issued by the ECI, Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS – 1992) has been appointed as the Director General and Head of Information and Police (In-charge) for the Government of West Bengal. Natarajan Ramesh Babu (IPS – 1991) has been posted as the Director General of Corrective Services. To manage the state's internal security, Ajay Mukund Ranade (IPS – 1995) has been designated as the Additional Director General and Head of Information and Police (Law and Order). Also, Ajay Kumar Nand (IPS – 1996) has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police for Kolkata. The commission has mandated that these orders be implemented with immediate effect, with a compliance report due by March 16.
Removal of Top Bureaucratic Leadership
Prior to the police reshuffle, the ECI removed two of the highest-ranking officials in the Mamata Banerjee administration. Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty was relieved of her duties and replaced by Dushyant Nariala, a 1993 batch IAS officer. The commission explicitly stated that Chakravarty must be kept away from any election-related responsibilities, while similarly, the Home Secretary of West Bengal, Jagdish Prasad Meena, was removed from his post. In his place, the ECI directed the appointment of Sanghamitra Ghosh, a 1997 batch IAS officer, as the Principal Secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs Department.
Strategic Objectives for Peaceful Elections
The ECI's actions are aligned with the commitment made by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to ensure a violence-free election environment in West Bengal. The commission's strategy involves placing neutral officers in key administrative and security positions to mitigate any potential bias. By restructuring the top tier of the police and civil administration, the ECI aims to strengthen the law enforcement machinery and build public confidence. The commission has emphasized that maintaining law and order is a priority, especially in regions identified as sensitive during previous electoral cycles.
Implementation and Reporting Deadlines
The formal communication regarding these changes was sent to the state government on the night of Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ECI has instructed that the newly appointed officers take charge immediately to oversee the logistical and security arrangements for the upcoming multi-phase elections. The commission continues to monitor the administrative landscape closely, and further adjustments may be made if deemed necessary for the integrity of the democratic process. The new leadership is expected to coordinate closely with central paramilitary forces to ensure a secure voting environment across all constituencies.