Kolkata, March 2 || The full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, is likely to visit West Bengal on March 9 to review the post-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) scenario in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, the full bench is scheduled to hold a review meeting in the state on March 10. If proceedings remain on schedule, the Commission is likely to announce the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections next week.
Meanwhile, the ECI’s scheduled virtual meeting with the State Nodal Police Officer (SNPO) and coordinating officers of various central security and investigating agencies has been postponed to March 5.
The central agencies whose coordinators are expected to attend the rescheduled meeting include the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Apart from reviewing arrangements for pre-poll, poll-day and post-poll security in the state, the meeting is expected to deliberate on improving coordination between state and Central agencies for the effective deployment of CAPFs.
It will also discuss strengthening coordination among intelligence and enforcement agencies to curb the use of money, liquor and drugs during the elections, and to ensure security in areas close to international and inter-state borders.