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Two IPS officers have informed the state’s Chief Electoral Officer that they are unwilling to continue as observers due to personal reasons.
25 senior Bengal IAS, IPS officers appointed as central observers by EC. (File pic: PTI)
The Election Commission on Wednesday named 25 senior IAS and IPS officers from West Bengal, including Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena and CID Inspector General Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi, as central observers for Assembly elections and bypolls in four states and a Union Territory.
In regards to the poll body’s appointment, the state secretariat (Nabanna) wrote back to the Commission and sought the transfer of nine IAS officers. It has also requested that the Home Secretary’s name be removed from the list of observers, sources informed.
In addition to this, two IPS officers have informed the state’s Chief Electoral Officer that they are unwilling to continue as observers due to personal reasons. Alternative names have been suggested in their place.
According to sources, the state Chief Electoral Officer is forwarding their letter to the Election Commission of India, seeking their exemption from observer duties.
The officers were appointed to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in West Bengal as well as in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The move was aimed at ensuring scrutiny of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, with the poll body deploying or considering additional observers to oversee the process following allegations by Trinamool Congress and other parties over omission from voter lists in certain constituencies.
Other than Meena and Chaturvedi, a few other officers named in the list include: Principal Secretary (Transport) Saumitra Mohan, Howrah SP Praveen Kumar Tripathi and Panchayat and RuraL Development Secretary P Ulganathan.
The Election Commission issued summons to 15 IAS and 10 IPS officials.
January 29, 2026, 18:37 IST
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