‘Anti-social activity’ near West Bengal CEO office: Poll body warns of action

Tension briefly escalated outside the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in Kolkata after officials flagged alleged “anti-social activity” near the premises and warned that strict action would be taken against any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

The CEO’s office raised the concern in a post on X on Wednesday, alleging that a Beleghata councillor , accompanied by a group of supporters, gathered outside the office late on Tuesday night and raised slogans. Officials described the incident as an attempt to create pressure around the election administration at a sensitive time.

“Such activities will not be tolerated. The Election Commission will take every step to ensure free and fair elections ,” the office said, adding that the law would take its course against those responsible.

According to officials, Sachin Singh (Ward 36) and Shanti Ranjan Kundu (Ward 32) were present outside the office during the protest. Singh later defended his actions, saying he had not committed any crime and had merely spoken for public concerns.

The situation had remained tense since Tuesday afternoon and continued intermittently into the night. While no fresh gatherings were reported on Wednesday morning, a strong police presence remained deployed around the CEO office at 13 Strand Road, Fairly Place as a precaution.

To maintain order, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) was imposed in the area by Kolkata Police . The restricted zone was later expanded to cover the stretch of Strand Road from Coalghata crossing to Kiran Shankar Roy Road crossing , including adjoining footpaths.

The unrest comes amid a growing political dispute over alleged voter list manipulation . On Tuesday, a group of booth-level officers (BLOs), reportedly backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), protested outside the CEO office over alleged irregular submission of Form 6 applications , which are used to register new voters. The protest led to scuffles involving police and BJP workers , while a SUCI (Socialist Unity Centre of India) rally approaching the office later triggered further clashes with security personnel.

Police have since registered a suo motu case and lodged an FIR at Hare Street Police Station against unidentified persons involved in the unrest, while officials said law-and-order measures remain firmly in place.