Kolkata, March 29 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) declared on Sunday that it has transferred a total of 83 block development officers (BDOs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) in West Bengal, in light of the significant Assembly elections set for next month.

In a communication to West Bengal's Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala, the ECI, via the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), shared the list of the transferred BDOs/AROs.

Among the notable transfers were those from the two blocks within the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, where the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator, Suvendu Adhikari, serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.

This election cycle sees Suvendu Adhikari contesting from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in Kolkata, facing off against the Trinamool Congress candidate and the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee.

According to the ECI's list, the highest number of transferred BDOs/AROs are from East Midnapore district, which is also Suvendu Adhikari's home district.

A total of 14 BDOs/AROs were reassigned from East Midnapore, followed by 11 from South 24 Parganas, seven in both North 24 Parganas and East Burdwan, and six in both Malda and Birbhum.

Additionally, transfers occurred in Jalpaiguri (four), Cooch Behar (three), Nadia (five), Murshidabad (four), Hooghly (four), West Midnapore (two), Bankura (four), Purulia (three), and one each in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Howrah, and West Burdwan districts.

Since the announcement of the two-phase elections for West Bengal on March 15, the ECI has been systematically issuing transfer orders for bureaucrats and police officials.

The transfer process commenced with high-ranking officials, such as the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and police Director Generals and Additional Director Generals.

Following this, mid-level bureaucratic officers, including District Magistrates, and police officials such as Deputy Inspector Generals, Superintendents, and Deputy Commissioners were reassigned.

Now, the final phase of transfers is underway for lower-tier administrative roles, involving additional district magistrates, sub-divisional officers, and block development officers in general administration, alongside assistant superintendents, deputy superintendents, assistant commissioners, and inspectors in police administration.

The two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The first phase will cover 152 Assembly constituencies while the second phase will address the remaining 142 constituencies. Election results are set to be announced on May 4.