Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday ordered the Director General of Police, West Bengal, to arrest all identified perpetrators of post-poll violence within 24 hours, naming Cooch Behar, Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, and Hooghly as districts where Election Commission of India (ECI) observers have logged incidents of arson, assault, and property damage.
Those involved in post-poll violence in Bengal must be arrested immediately. The Commission is monitoring the situation closely and will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order.
Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner · Election Commission of India · 06 May 2026
The ECI directive carries three operative clauses. The DGP must ensure arrests of named accused by Thursday morning. Senior IPS officers must personally oversee force deployment in all four affected districts. West Bengal Chief Secretary must file a compliance report with the Commission by 07 May 2026.
The Commission warned that non-compliance will invite action under Article 324 of the Constitution, which empowers the ECI to superintend, direct, and control state administrations on matters connected to elections, including the post-poll period, until the Model Code of Conduct is formally lifted.
Opposition Complaints and Police Position
Opposition parties filed formal complaints with ECI observers on Wednesday, alleging ruling party workers carried out targeted attacks on political rivals and their families in rural pockets of North 24 Parganas and Hooghly. The West Bengal Police directorate acknowledged receipt of the ECI directive but had not issued a formal statement by the time of publication.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units already stationed in Bengal for election duty remain deployed. Formal redeployment orders from the Union Home Ministry are awaited.
ℹ️ Background: Post-Poll Violence in Bengal
- West Bengal has recorded post-poll violence after multiple election cycles, drawing Supreme Court scrutiny as recently as 2021.
- The ECI kept central observers across Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha constituencies and ran a dedicated control room through counting day.
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has in past cycles registered suo motu cases based on Bengal post-poll violence reports.
- Article 324 grants the ECI authority to override state authority on force deployment during the election period.
All four named districts have been placed under enhanced central observer surveillance as of Wednesday evening. ECI field reports from those observers form the evidentiary basis for the arrest directive.
FAQ
What powers does the ECI hold over state police after elections?
Which districts are flagged for post-poll violence?
What happens if West Bengal police miss the deadline?
The West Bengal Chief Secretary must submit a compliance report to the ECI by Thursday, 07 May 2026. If the report is found unsatisfactory, the Commission is expected to convene an emergency sitting to consider further constitutional remedies.
