Election Commission Rejects Bengal's Unilateral Action on Poll Officials

The Election Commission (EC) has objected to the West Bengal Government’s decision to penalise four electoral officers without prior consultation, citing procedural violations. In a letter to the State’s Chief Secretary, the EC highlighted that it was not consulted before the action was taken.

The four officials were allegedly involved in irregularities during the preparation and revision of voter lists under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process last year. The officers named are Debottam Dutta Chowdhury, ERO of Baruipur East Assembly constituency; Tathagata Mandal, AERO of Baruipur East; Biolob Sarkar, ERO of Moyna Assembly constituency; and Sudipta Das, AERO of Moyna.

The Election Commission stressed that any punitive action against electoral officers must follow proper protocols, including its approval, to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Failure to adhere to these procedures could set a concerning precedent for administrative autonomy over election-related duties.

Also Read: Amartya Sen's 'Pratichi' Home Documents Submitted for Electoral Roll Revision

West Bengal authorities had acted in response to alleged lapses in voter list management during the SIR duties, aiming to ensure accountability. However, the EC’s intervention underscores the constitutional requirement that election officials operate under the commission’s oversight.

This disagreement between the State Government and the Election Commission highlights the delicate balance of authority in India’s electoral framework, where state-level actions must align with national guidelines to uphold free and fair elections.

The EC has requested clarification from the West Bengal Government and urged it to halt any further disciplinary measures until proper consultation is conducted, ensuring due process is observed in addressing electoral irregularities.

Also Read: Congress Leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal Alleges Deletion of His Name in UP Voter Roll