The Election Commission of India (ECI) has removed Nandini Chakraborty, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, and Jagdeesh Prasad Meena, the state’s Home Secretary, shortly after announcing the schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The poll panel issued directions for immediate administrative changes following a review of election preparedness in the state. The decision also included the suspension of seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), according to officials familiar with the order.

Also Read | Election Commission announces voting phases in West Bengal: Key dates, last date of filing nomination, a complete guide

As per a report by the Economic Times, the Commission said the officers had been “transferred out” and should not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the Assembly polls.

New appointments ordered with immediate effect

The Election Commission appointed Dushyant Nariala, a 1993-batch IAS officer, as the new Chief Secretary of West Bengal. Sanghamitra Ghosh, a 1997-batch IAS officer, has been named the state’s Principal Secretary for Home and Hill Affairs.

In its communication to the state administration, the Commission directed that the changes be implemented immediately and asked the government to submit a report confirming that the new officers had assumed charge by 3 pm on March 16.

The move came hours after the Commission announced that the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

Review of poll preparedness

Sources said the Commission took the step after reviewing the state’s election preparedness and examining past compliance issues raised during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Also Read | CM Mamata Banerjee hikes priests, muezzins’ monthly honorarium to ₹2,000 ahead of Bengal polls

Officials indicated that several instances of administrative inaction had been flagged over the past few months, including delays in filing FIRs against election officials accused of irregularities.

Earlier, the Commission had directed action against two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) over alleged lapses related to data security and election procedures. The latest administrative reshuffle comes as the Election Commission steps up oversight of state machinery ahead of the Assembly polls.