ECI Removes Chief Secretary and Home Secretary in West Bengal Ahead of Assembly Elections: MCC Takes effect

KalimNews, March 16, 2026, Kolkata: In a major administrative move ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate removal and transfer of senior officials in the state government. West Bengal’s Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagadish Prasad Meena have been removed from their posts with immediate effect following the Commission’s review of poll preparedness in the state.

The Commission has appointed Dushyant Nariala, a 1993-batch IAS officer, as the new Chief Secretary of the Government of West Bengal, replacing Nandini Chakraborty. At the same time, Sanghamitra Ghosh, a 1997-batch IAS officer, has been posted as the Principal Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs, taking over responsibilities related to internal administration and security matters in the state.

In a letter dated March 15, addressed to the Chief Secretary of the West Bengal government in Kolkata, the Election Commission stated that it had reviewed the poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections and directed the following administrative changes. The official communication was signed by Sujeet Kumar Mishra, Secretary of the Election Commission of India.

The letter stated: "I am directed to state that the Commission has reviewed the poll preparedness for the General Election to Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, 2026 and directs the following: Dushyant Nariala, (IAS-1993) be posted as Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal. Sanghamitra Ghosh, (IAS-1997) be posted as Principal Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs, Govt. of West Bengal."

The Commission further emphasized the urgency of implementing these directives. The letter also stated: "The directions of the Commission to be implemented with immediate effect and a compliance report in respect of joining of above officers be sent by 03:00 PM on March 16, 2026. Further, the officers transferred out shall not be posted in any election related posts till the completion of elections."

Accordingly, Dushyant Nariala has replaced Nandini Chakraborty as Chief Secretary, while Sanghamitra Ghosh has taken charge of the Home and Hill Affairs department.

The administrative reshuffle comes shortly after the Election Commission announced the schedule for Assembly elections in four states — West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam — along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.

According to the Commission, polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Meanwhile, Kerala and Assam will vote in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. Voting in Puducherry will also take place on April 9. The counting of votes for all four states and the Union Territory will be held on May 4, the Election Commission announced.

Immediately after the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force across all poll-bound regions. The Election Commission directed strict implementation of MCC provisions aimed at ensuring free and fair elections.

The Commission ordered the removal of ministers’ photographs from official government websites and imposed restrictions on advertisements funded by public money. Ministers have also been barred from combining official visits with election campaigning, and government machinery, personnel, vehicles, or aircraft must not be used to promote the interests of any political party.

In addition, the Commission directed that no fresh release of funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), including those of Rajya Sabha members, or under MLA and MLC local area development schemes, will be permitted in election-bound regions until the completion of the electoral process.

To ensure strict monitoring, the Election Commission has instructed authorities to activate enforcement mechanisms immediately. These include Flying Squads, Field Surveillance Teams (FSTs), and video surveillance teams. Authorities have also been directed to intensify checking operations to prevent the movement of liquor, cash, and contraband drugs during the election period.

Furthermore, 24×7 control rooms are to be made operational at the district level with adequate manpower and logistical support under the supervision of the District Election Officer (DEO) and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

The Commission has also directed the formation of a screening committee under each state’s Chief Secretary to examine proposals related to the Model Code of Conduct received from the Chief Electoral Officer or various government departments before forwarding them to the Election Commission.

In West Bengal, the Election Commission moved swiftly after the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, implementing major administrative changes within hours. The appointment of Dushyant Nariala as Chief Secretary and the replacement of Home Secretary Jagadish Prasad Meena by Sanghamitra Ghosh are among the first significant bureaucratic reshuffles ahead of the polls. Both officers were expected to assume charge by 3:00 PM on Monday.

The speed of the Commission’s action has drawn attention in both administrative and political circles. According to sources, such immediate intervention following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct has rarely been seen in recent election cycles in the state. Observers believe that this may only be the beginning of broader administrative adjustments.

Sources indicate that the Election Commission is preparing for a wider reshuffle within the police force in the coming days as part of its effort to ensure neutrality and maintain tighter administrative control during the election period. The poll body has also asked the state administration to provide detailed information on the policing structure in sensitive areas.

Specifically, the Commission has sought a comprehensive list of all officers-in-charge and their reporting authorities in regions that witnessed severe violence after the results of the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election were declared. According to sources, once the Commission receives and reviews this list, some of these officers may be transferred or reassigned to less critical roles.

The focus on these districts indicates the Commission’s determination to maintain strict vigilance over law and order and to prevent a repeat of the violence that followed the previous Assembly elections. Through these rapid administrative interventions and monitoring measures, the Election Commission has signalled that the conduct of the upcoming elections in West Bengal will be closely monitored to ensure a free, fair, and transparent democratic process.