Kolkata, 26 March (H.S.) : The Election Commission of India on Wednesday ordered the transfer of the District Magistrate of East Midnapore, citing allegations of unlawful conduct, in a move that underscores its ongoing administrative overhaul ahead of the Assembly elections.

The Commission simultaneously appointed a new District Magistrate for the district, which is politically significant as the home turf of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Unice Rishin Ismail, who was serving as the District Magistrate, was shifted following allegations related to the recruitment of contractual staff in the run-up to the polls. Niranjan Kumar has been named as his replacement.

In addition to this key change, the Commission carried out a reshuffle involving five Additional District Magistrates across multiple districts. The exercise also included the transfer of five Indian Administrative Service officers, accompanied by fresh assignments tied to election responsibilities.

Tejaswi Rana, currently serving as Special Secretary to the state government in North 24 Parganas, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the Bhatpara Assembly constituency. Aditya Vikram Mohan, previously Additional District Magistrate of Alipurduar, has been assigned as Returning Officer for the Raninagar constituency in Murshidabad.

Rohan Lakshmikant, who served as Additional District Magistrate in East Burdwan, has been deployed in the Ranibandh area of Bankura. Similarly, Lakshman Perumal, Additional District Magistrate of Jhargram, has been given charge as Returning Officer for the Taldangra constituency in Bankura. Srinivas Venkatrao Patil, Additional District Magistrate of Bankura, will now serve as Returning Officer for the Baishnabnagar constituency in Malda.

The latest transfers are part of a sweeping administrative reshuffle initiated by the Commission following the announcement of Assembly election dates on March 15. Beginning the same night, the Commission undertook a series of unprecedented decisions, including the replacement of the State Chief Secretary and Home Secretary in a late-night move.

On March 16, the Commission further removed the Director General of State Police as well as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police. Since then, the reshuffle process has continued across administrative and police hierarchies, with large-scale transfers being executed in phases. In one such instance, Superintendents of Police from 12 districts were transferred simultaneously, reflecting the Commission’s intent to ensure neutrality and preparedness ahead of the elections.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh