The Election Commission on Friday directed the newly appointed district magistrates to get their predecessors to vacate their official bungalows so they can put up there. ADVERTISEMENT“During the last few elections, DMs removed by the commission did not vacate their bungalows, forcing the new DMs to work from circuit houses,” a poll panel official said. The Election Commission had replaced 11 district magistrates on Wednesday without consulting the Bengal government. A senior official saidthe poll panel had replaced several DMs during the 2021 Assembly polls and the 2024 general election following allegations they were playing a “partisan” role. Using this ruse, the predecessors continued to instruct the officials conducting the elections,” a commission source said.

Source: The Telegraph March 21, 2026 09:34 UTC