Archive · 6 Oct 2026
EC Replaces Nandigram Police Chief Before Bypoll Amid Complaints
The Election Commission changed the police officer in charge of Nandigram just before an election.
Ajay Kumar Mishra was replaced by Debasish Sarkar.
Opposition parties had complained about alleged threats to their supporters and said local police had not acted.
They also alleged that Mishra was close to the ruling party.
The Commission ordered the change but did not publicly explain its reason.
Sarkar said he had heard about the change but had not received the official order.
People were due to vote in Nandigram and Rejinagar on Tuesday.
Election authorities planned to send many central and state police personnel to help secure voting.
The votes were scheduled to be counted on October 9.
The Election Commission ordered Ajay Kumar Mishra replaced as Nandigram police station’s inspector-in-charge on Monday, a day before polling.
Debasish Sarkar was named as his replacement; the Commission directed an immediate change and sought a compliance report.
Opposition parties complained about alleged police inaction over intimidation and threats, and also alleged Mishra was close to the ruling party.
The Commission did not publicly state its reason for the replacement; Sarkar said he had heard of the change but had not received the formal order.
Polling in Nandigram and Rejinagar was scheduled for Tuesday, with counting on October 9; authorities planned 71 CAPF companies and 15,119 state police personnel.
- Who
- The Election Commission replaced Nandigram police station inspector-in-charge Ajay Kumar Mishra with Debasish Sarkar after opposition complaints.
- What
- An immediate change of the police station’s inspector-in-charge was ordered ahead of the Nandigram bypoll.
- When
- The order was made on Monday, the day before Tuesday’s polling; counting was scheduled for October 9.
- Where
- Nandigram, in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district.
- Why
- Opposition parties alleged intimidation of their supporters, police inaction and that Mishra was close to the ruling party. The Commission did not publicly disclose its reason.
Opposition Concerns
Election Commission Action
Why Mishra was replaced
Opposition Concerns
Opposition parties alleged Mishra was close to the ruling party and complained of intimidation and police inaction.
Election Commission Action
The Commission ordered his immediate replacement but did not publicly state its reason.
Confidence in the election process
Opposition Concerns
Congress leaders welcomed the officer change but questioned whether the polls would be free and fair; a party leader also questioned the counting-centre location and the Commission’s neutrality.
Election Commission Action
The Commission ordered the transfer and sought a compliance report. The articles do not report a Commission response to the broader criticism.
- Outgoing officer
- Ajay Kumar Mishra
- Replacement
- Debasish Sarkar, described as serving in traffic and cybercrime police roles
- Polling
- Tuesday in Nandigram and Rejinagar
- Vote counting
- October 9
- Central security
- 71 CAPF companies: 37 in Nandigram and 34 in Rejinagar
- State police
- 15,119 personnel across the two constituencies
- Sensitive booths
- 323 in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar
- Compliance report
- The Commission sought a report confirming implementation of the transfer
Sources
EC replaces Nandigram police OC a day before polling amid Opposition complaints - Telegraph India
Nandigram police station officer in-charge replaced day before bypoll - Telegraph India
Bengal: Nandigram police station officer in-charge replaced day before bypoll
ECI replaces Nandigram inspector-in-charge a day before high-stakes bypoll
