West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the Election Commission of India (EC) for its recent directive to suspend four state officers and a casual worker, accusing the poll body of overstepping its authority. The suspensions, ordered on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, were due to alleged lapses in preparing electoral rolls in two districts, prompting the EC to also direct the filing of FIRs against the individuals involved, including two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and a data entry operator.

Addressing the issue on Thursday, Banerjee questioned the legal basis of the EC’s actions, asserting, “We all know the EC can take action only from the date of announcement of elections.” With West Bengal’s assembly elections scheduled for mid-2026, she challenged the constitutional validity of the suspensions, claiming no such provision exists. Banerjee reaffirmed her government’s unwavering support for its employees, stating, “My government stands firmly with all officers and staff.”

The controversy has sparked a broader political debate about the EC’s motives, particularly regarding the potential implementation of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, similar to one recently conducted in Bihar. Banerjee has repeatedly alleged that the EC is attempting to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) “through the back door” under the guise of SIR, raising concerns about political motivations. As tensions rise, the issue underscores ongoing friction between the state government and the EC ahead of the 2026 elections.

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