Kolkata, 17 October (H.S.): The Election Commission has begun security preparations ahead of schedule for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal. The Commission will clarify the roles of various central and state-level security and intelligence agencies by the end of the year.

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Office of West Bengal has so far sent letters to 22 central and state agencies, requesting them to submit the names of officers who will be deployed as nodal officers for the electoral process by October 30th.

According to sources, once the names are received from these agencies, State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal will hold meetings with these nodal officers next month. In these meetings, the Commission will determine the roles and responsibilities of each agency.

This process is usually initiated after the announcement of elections and the imposition of the code of conduct, but given the sensitivity of the Bengal elections, the Election Commission has initiated it earlier this time. Sources in the CEO's Office said that the Commission is particularly vigilant regarding security in certain sensitive areas of the state, especially those bordering international borders, before the elections.

Additionally, the Election Commission will closely monitor the expenditures of political parties and candidates during campaigns. The Commission will pay particular attention to attempts to influence voters through the distribution of cash and items such as liquor.

The political situation in the state is already heated. A blame game is ongoing between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Sources indicate that the SIR notification could be issued at any time.

Earlier this month, a central team from the Election Commission visited West Bengal and reviewed preparations for the SIR. The team clearly instructed the CEO's office that there should be no laxity in adhering to the standards set by the Election Commission, especially the appointment of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Election Registration Officers (EROs).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey