First, the EC appoints SDM level officers and SDM level officers. Above are the election officials of Bengal polls

New Delhi: election committeeFor the first time, West Bengal has upgraded the returning officers (ROs) of its 152 assembly constituencies to the level of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) or sub-divisional officer (SDO) and above, in line with the norms followed in other parts of the country.This is seen as promoting free and fair parliamentary elections in the state as senior officials are seen as less prone to bias and partisanship, especially against the ruling party.Sources said the move is historic as West Bengal is the only state since Independence that has an RO level below or equivalent to SDM, while other states/Union Territories provide officers at the level of SDM/Divisional Officer (SDO) and above. “West Bengal is the only state that has not complied with the EC directive of June 26, 2023 and has been providing junior officers at the level of Block Development Officer (BDO) for appointment as RO. The EC has issued reminders to the West Bengal government on January 20 and February 2, 2026, asking it to rectify the issue,” an EC official said.Finally, at the insistence of the Election Commission, the state government agreed to retain officials with requisite qualifications as election officials. Based on this, the Election Commission on Thursday issued a notification for appointment of ROs for all 294 assembly constituencies for the upcoming assembly elections, including 152 constituencies in the state where junior officers were provided earlier.