Following the announcement of the 2026 Assembly Elections, the Election Commission (EC) initiated a massive reshuffle of IAS and IPS officers across West Bengal. While the ruling TMC has already questioned the scale of these transfers, a fresh controversy has erupted over the refusal of former District Magistrates (DMs) to vacate their official residences. In a stern move, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has now set a hard deadline of March 22 for all former DMs to move out.

The Unusual Complaint The issue came to light when several newly appointed DMs approached the CEO’s office with a bizarre grievance. They stated that while they have officially taken charge of their respective districts, they are unable to move into their designated official bungalows because the recently transferred officers have yet to vacate them. This “bungalow blockage” has reportedly caused significant logistical hurdles for the new officers.

Malda and Jalpaiguri at the Center of Dispute Sources indicate that this standoff is particularly severe in districts like Malda, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar. Despite their new postings or assignments as observers in other states, some former DMs are allegedly holding onto their state-provided housing. This prompted an immediate reaction from the CEO, who stressed that a DM’s bungalow is not just a residence but often functions as a crucial operational hub during high-stakes election periods.

EC’s Final Warning During a recent meeting, the CEO explicitly directed that all such bungalows must be vacated by March 22 without fail. The Commission emphasized that such delays hinder the efficiency of election management. With the political temperature already rising over the mass transfers, this administrative clash adds another layer of complexity to the 2026 polls. Failure to comply with the deadline may lead to disciplinary action against the erring officers, as the EC remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition for the polling season.