In a stern move to ensure electoral neutrality, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended Jyotsna Khatun, the Joint BDO and Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) of Khandaghosh, East Burdwan. The officer faced allegations of actively campaigning for the ruling Trinamool Congress while holding a key administrative position.

Serious Misconduct: Following a preliminary probe that confirmed the bias, the ECI acted swiftly to suspend her and ordered a formal departmental inquiry. The Commission emphasized that any officer involved in election management must remain strictly neutral to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.

Massive Administrative Reshuffle: This suspension comes alongside a massive reshuffle where 83 BDOs and AROs across districts like Malda, Murshidabad, and Midnapore have been transferred. By removing officers entrenched in specific blocks for long durations or those showing partisan leanings, the ECI is sending a clear signal: zero tolerance for political interference in the 2026 Assembly polls.