EC Orders Major Police Reshuffle in West Bengal Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections

The Commission directed the state government to immediately implement several key postings in the top ranks of the police administration.

According to the directive, Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS, 1992 batch) has been posted as the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) of West Bengal (in-charge).

Natarajan Ramesh Babu (IPS, 1991 batch) has been appointed as the Director General of Correctional Services.

Ajay Mukund Ranade (IPS, 1995 batch) will serve as the Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police (Law & Order).

Meanwhile, Ajay Kumar Nand (IPS, 1996 batch) has been posted as the Commissioner of the Kolkata Police.

The Commission directed that the changes be implemented with immediate effect, directing the state government to send a compliance report confirming the officers’ joining by 3:00 p.m. on March 16, 2026.

The move follows the EC announcing the schedule of the Assembly elections for four states, including West Bengal, and a Union Territory. West Bengal goes to the polls in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4.

The poll panel also specified that the officers who have been transferred from previous posts should not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the election process.

In a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had assured that elections in West Bengal would be violence-free and peaceful. 

The directive follows the Commission’s review of poll preparedness in the state ahead of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections. Administrative reshuffles, particularly in the police and district administration, are a routine measure by the EC to ensure neutrality and maintain law and order during elections.

The directive was issued by Sujeet Kumar Mishra, Secretary of the Election Commission, and addressed to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, with a copy sent to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer.