Election Commission Boosts Security with New Police Observers for West Bengal Polls

In a bid to enhance security for the upcoming second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has appointed 11 additional police observers. This decision comes after isolated incidents of violence during the first phase of polling. With the total number of observers now at 95, the ECI aims to ensure a smooth electoral process. Additionally, five police officers have been suspended for dereliction of duty, highlighting the Commission's commitment to maintaining order during the elections. Read on to learn more about the measures being implemented to secure the electoral process.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 25, 2026, 15:24 IST

Enhanced Security Measures for Upcoming Elections

Kolkata: On Saturday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) revealed that it has appointed 11 additional police observers for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, which will cover 142 constituencies on April 29.

An official from the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in West Bengal confirmed that these observers are being sourced from various states to strengthen the security framework for the upcoming polling phase.

The ECI aims to mitigate any potential unrest during the elections, which is why the number of police observers has been increased. Although the first phase of voting on April 23 had a robust security setup, there were isolated incidents of violence that the ECI seeks to prevent in the second phase.

With the addition of these 11 officers, the total count of police observers in West Bengal now stands at 95.

Initially, the ECI had designated 84 police observers for this election, surpassing the numbers from previous elections. The increase in personnel is a response to identified sensitive areas requiring heightened vigilance. The state police are tasked with ensuring the safety of these new observers.

In a related development, the ECI has suspended five police officers from the Diamond Harbour Police District in South 24 Parganas for neglecting their duties, initiating departmental action against them.

Among those suspended are an additional superintendent of police, Sandeep Garai (IPS), and a sub-division police officer, Sajal Mandal, along with three other inspectors from local police stations.

Furthermore, Superintendent Ishani Pal of the Diamond Harbour Police District received a serious warning for her inadequate oversight of her subordinate officers.