ECI flags “unauthorised” security cover for TMC leaders, orders urgent review by Bengal Police

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has raised serious concerns over the alleged provision of police security to leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal without its approval. The Commission has questioned the fairness of such arrangements, indicating a possible bias in the deployment of state security personnel ahead of the Assembly elections.

According to Commission sources, before the announcement of the election schedule, the state government had deployed 2,185 police personnel to provide security to 832 TMC leaders and 144 other individuals, including supporters. The ECI has taken note of these figures and expressed concern over the continuation of such security cover without proper authorisation.

In response, the Commission has directed the Director General of Police, Siddhanath Gupta, to review the entire security arrangement within two to three days. The review must ensure that all decisions are made in a fair, neutral, and professional manner, in line with election guidelines. The Commission has reiterated that no political affiliation should influence security deployment during the electoral process.

The ECI had earlier instructed state authorities to withdraw security from individuals facing criminal charges or those who do not qualify based on threat perception or official rank. It also directed that security provided in violation of rules, including to those on bail or parole, must be immediately revoked. Additionally, the Commission has ordered timely execution of pending non-bailable warrants against such individuals.

However, the West Bengal Police has yet to submit a compliance report on these directives, leading to dissatisfaction within the Commission. Officials have stressed that strict adherence to these instructions is essential to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election environment across the state.