New Delhi, March 16 The Election Commission has ordered the appointment of Dushyant Nariala as the new chief secretary of West Bengal, which will hold assembly elections in two phases next month.
Until now, Nandini Chakravarty was the state chief secretary. The EC said she would be kept out of poll-related assignments.
In a letter to the state government sent on Sunday night, the poll authority has also directed the appointment of Sanghamitra Ghosh as principal secretary, Home and Hill Affairs.
"…the officers transferred out shall not be posted in any election-related posts until the completion of elections," the EC emphasized.
The Commission said the decision to transfer the two officers was taken following a review of the state's poll preparedness.
It said its directions are to be implemented with immediate effect, and a compliance report regarding the joining of the officers should be sent by 3 pm on Monday.
Assembly elections will be held in the state on April 23 and 29, and votes will be counted on May 4.
The Trinamool Congress government and the Election Commission have been at odds over a variety of issues, including the special intensive revision of the voter list and remuneration for booth-level officers.