West Bengal CEO Office to shift after 18 years ahead of 2026 polls

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) West Bengal will begin shifting to new premises at the Shipping Corporation of India building from Monday, ending its nearly 18-year tenure at Netaji Subhas Road, officials said.

The CEO office, currently housed in the Balmer Lawrie building, will transition in phases, with full operations expected soon. Officials said the relocation comes in view of growing administrative demands ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections .

“The new premises are larger and better equipped to accommodate increased staff strength and operational requirements,” a senior official said.

The move has been driven primarily by space constraints, security concerns, and logistical challenges at the existing office. In recent years, the limited space at the current location has struggled to support expanding election-related activities.

Security has also emerged as a key concern. Protests during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process highlighted vulnerabilities at the present site. Opposition leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, had raised the issue, calling for relocation to a more secure facility.

While the timing of the shift close to the 2026 polls has sparked political interest, officials asserted that the decision is administrative in nature , following months of internal deliberations rather than direct political pressure.

The new premises, located in a central public sector building, will have enhanced infrastructure and security , including deployment of central forces. Officials said the relocation is expected to improve coordination and efficiency in managing election-related work.

The CEO office functions under the state Home Department. The Election Commission of India had earlier recommended an independent setup, but no final decision has been taken so far.