EC orders urgent security overhaul after breach at Bengal CEO office

Bengal has witnessed a major administrative jolt ahead of the elections after a serious security breach at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on November 24. Taking strong note of the incident, the Election Commission of India issued a detailed letter to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, expressing deep concern over the vulnerabilities in the existing security setup.

The letter, written by Election Commission Secretary Sujit Kumar Mishra, stated that the current arrangements at the CEO office were found to be “inadequate.” The Commission warned that such lapses could endanger all senior officials working there, including the Chief Electoral Officer, Additional CEO, Joint CEO and Deputy CEO. It emphasised that any compromise in security at this stage could have major implications for the election process.

Following the breach, the Commission directed the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner to prioritise security reinforcement with immediate effect. The instructions include strengthening access control, reviewing deployment, and ensuring that no further gaps remain in the premises.

The Commission’s directive has triggered an urgent administrative response, with authorities expected to implement enhanced security protocols without delay. The incident has added pressure on the state machinery at a crucial time when election preparations are intensifying.