In a significant administrative move just before the 2026 Assembly Elections, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal is relocating from its iconic, century-old headquarters. The historical Balmer Lawrie Building, which has housed the state’s election machinery for decades, is being vacated in favor of the Shipping Corporation Building near the Calcutta High Court.

The Move to a New Address Sources suggest that the shifting process is already underway, with officials packing files and equipment to ensure the new office is operational by Monday. The decision stems from growing concerns over space constraints and safety. A short-circuit fire on the ground floor last year had caused significant alarm, highlighting the vulnerability of the heritage structure. While the relocation was planned late last year, it was deferred due to voter list revisions. Now, with the elections looming, the transition is being executed on a war footing.

Unprecedented Security Measures To ensure a “free and fair” election, the Union Home Ministry has approved a massive security blanket for the state. A staggering 2400 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed across Bengal. This includes 1920 additional companies joining the 480 companies already stationed on the ground. Personnel from elite forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB will be manning the booths.

21 States to Send Police Reinforcements In a rare move, police contingents from 21 states, including Assam, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, are also being summoned for election duty. This multi-layered security plan aims to prevent any untoward incidents during the high-stakes battle. According to the deployment schedule, while 1700 companies will depart after the final phase on April 29, 200 companies will remain to guard the strong rooms and counting centers. Furthermore, 500 companies will stay back indefinitely to maintain law and order, signaling the Commission’s intent to keep a tight grip on the state’s security environment.