In a recent development, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has raised concerns over the safety of officers and staff following a tense situation at the office during the Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise. On November 24 and 25, a crowd of Booth Level Officers and workers from certain political parties reportedly surrounded the CEO office, creating a serious security risk.
#BREAKING: ECI seeks MHA’s intervention to provide adequate security to the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, and officers posted in the CEO’s office pic.twitter.com/GxUUxfCkn7
— IANS (@ians_india) December 19, 2025
Why Security Became a Concern
Officials say the gherao incident was alarming and highlighted the need for extra precautions. With the upcoming legislative assembly elections, similar situations could potentially arise, making it crucial to protect election staff and maintain order during sensitive periods like voter list revisions.
Challenges at the Current Office
At present, the CEO office is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of Balmer Lawrie Co. Ltd., 21 Netaji Subhash Bose Road, Kolkata. However, the space has several operational challenges, including limited amenities and security gaps, which made handling the crowd situation even more difficult.
Moving to a Safer Location
To address these concerns, the office is being relocated to the 2nd and 3rd floors of Shipping House, 13 Strand Road, BBD Bag, Kolkata. The move is expected to be completed in the next few days, and authorities are keen to ensure the new premises are fully secure and operational.
Immediate CAPF Deployment Requested
In the meantime, election officials have requested the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to provide round-the-clock protection at both the current and new office locations. The goal is to make sure staff can perform their duties without fear or disruption.
A Step Toward Safe Elections
The incident underscores the sensitivity of the election process and the importance of safeguarding officials. With proper security measures, the CEO office aims to ensure smooth election preparations and maintain confidence in the system during this crucial period.