English
English
English
West Bengal’s Chief Election Officer Manoj Agrawal has been given Y+ security after fresh threats amid voter list revisions. With 20 CISF personnel on guard, what prompted this sudden security boost ahead of the 2026 elections?
West Bengal CEO Manoj Agrawal gets Y+ security
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has granted Y-plus category security to Manoj Agrawal, the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of West Bengal. This decision comes a month after concerns were raised regarding the security of the CEO’s office in the state.
To ensure his safety during the upcoming electoral activities, the central government has deployed around 20 CISF personnel to provide round-the-clock protection.
VB-G-Ram-G Bill: RJD leader Manoj Jha writes open letter to MPs, urges opposition
Manoj Agrawal is a 1990-batch IAS officer and was appointed as West Bengal’s Chief Election Officer in March this year. Under his leadership, the state will conduct the 2026 elections, after which he is scheduled to retire in July 2026.
Before taking charge as CEO, Agrawal served as the Secretary of West Bengal’s Food and Supply Department. During his tenure, he made headlines in 2018 when he ordered FIRs against officials for irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS). Following this, he was removed from the position. Notably, in October 2023, the then Food and Supply Minister Jyotipriya Mallick was arrested by the CBI over alleged discrepancies in ration distribution.
Sources indicate that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in West Bengal will begin on Saturday. During the initial stages of this process, security inputs indicated potential threats to the Chief Election Officer, prompting the MHA to enhance his protection.
VB-G-Ram-G Bill: RJD leader Manoj Jha writes open letter to MPs, urges opposition
Y+ category security typically involves the deployment of multiple armed personnel, who remain on duty 24/7 to ensure the safety of the officer. This protection covers the officer’s residence, office, and movements, providing comprehensive security. In this case, around 20 CISF personnel have been assigned to guard Manoj Agrawal, ensuring his safety during sensitive electoral procedures.
With elections scheduled in 2026 and voter list revisions underway, the central government is taking all necessary steps to safeguard officials responsible for conducting free and fair elections. Manoj Agrawal’s enhanced security underscores the importance of protecting key election officials in high-stakes political environments.
