In a significant move ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly elections, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal is set to convene a high-level meeting with key enforcement and security agencies. The meeting, scheduled for December 11, 2025, aims to devise robust strategies to combat the pervasive menace of money power and other electoral malpractices.
Pre-Election Preparations in Full Swing
Although the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the official schedule for the West Bengal Assembly Elections in 2026, the state election machinery has already kicked off its preparatory work. A senior official confirmed that the upcoming meeting is a critical part of these pre-poll exercises. The official highlighted that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, a vital voter list purification drive, is currently underway and will conclude soon, setting the stage for the polls.
"The meeting is mainly with enforcement agencies for the seizures and with various agencies over preventive arrests before the election," the official stated, outlining the primary agenda. The discussions are expected to focus on creating a seamless coordination mechanism among diverse agencies to monitor and curb the illegal use of cash, liquor, and other inducements to influence voters.
Who Will Attend the December 11 Meet?
The meeting will witness participation from a wide spectrum of 25 nodal and enforcement agencies. Their collective expertise will be harnessed to fortify the election expenditure monitoring framework and ensure stringent border security. Key agencies invited include:
- Director General of Police, West Bengal
- Director General of Income Tax (Investigation)
- Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India (Kolkata)
- Enforcement Directorate (Eastern Region)
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
- Narcotics Control Bureau (Eastern Region)
- Border Security Force (BSF)
- Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, WB
- Airports Authority of India (Eastern Region)
- State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) Convenor
This multi-agency approach underscores the Election Commission's intent to leave no stone unturned in ensuring a level playing field. The meeting will also review the state's overall security situation and discuss ways to bolster surveillance, especially along interstate borders, to prevent the inflow of illicit goods and cash.
Laying the Groundwork for Free and Fair Polls
The December 11 conclave gains added importance as it follows the recent completion of the first phase of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) checks on November 21. The EVM verification process is slated to continue in phases until mid-January 2026, ensuring all machines are technically flawless.
Officials view this meeting as a foundational step to build a "robust mechanism" against not just money power, but all forms of electoral corruption. By bringing all relevant agencies to one table well before the election notification, the CEO's office aims to iron out operational protocols and establish clear lines of communication and intelligence sharing.
When queried if the agenda would include discussions on identifying and securing "sensitive booths," officials chose not to comment. However, the broad scope of the meeting, encompassing security and enforcement, suggests a holistic review of potential flashpoints.
With political temperatures in West Bengal perennially high during election seasons, this proactive initiative by the CEO's office signals a determined effort by the election authorities to conduct the 2026 Assembly polls with utmost integrity, transparency, and strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.
