Goel's departure further depletes the Election Commission, which was already reduced to two members following the retirement of Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey in February.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stepped up efforts to ensure peaceful elections in West Bengal, a state notorious for its history of election-related violence.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that directions have been issued to all the DMs and SPs to ensure a 'level-playing field' for all the political parties, and to take strong action against those officials indulging in favoritism. 

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar addressed pressing concerns surrounding electoral transparency and the feasibility of political promises during a recent press conference in Chennai.

According to the EC's policy, officers serving in their home district or completing a three-year tenure at a location are transferred before Lok Sabha or assembly elections to maintain fairness.

The members of the state legislative assembly will elect candidates for these 11 seats on March 21 when the counting of votes will take place in the evening and shall have to be completed by March 23.  

A vacancy will arise in the three-member poll panel when Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey resigns from the office on February 14.