India’s Election Commission has suspended seven officials in West Bengal over alleged irregularities in voter list revision, ordering immediate disciplinary action.
Seven Officials Suspended in West Bengal
Kolkata: Major administrative action has been taken in West Bengal regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The Election Commission has suspended seven officials with immediate effect following allegations of serious irregularities. This action comes amid preparations for the upcoming elections in the state, creating a stir in administrative circles. The Commission clarified that any negligence in the electoral roll process will not be tolerated.
According to the Commission, there is strong evidence of dereliction of duty, abuse of power, and serious irregularities in the revision process against the suspended officials. This action was taken using the powers granted under Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The investigation found that the concerned officials failed to properly perform their duties as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), thereby compromising the transparency of the entire process.
The Commission has directed the Chief Secretary of West Bengal to initiate departmental action against the suspended officials without delay. The concerned cadre controlling authorities have also been directed to expedite this process and submit a progress report to the Commission. It is believed that the scope of the investigation may expand, and action against other officials is also possible.
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The suspended officials include AERO-level employees from several assembly constituencies. These include Dr. Sefaur Rahman, Assistant Director in the Agriculture Department and associated with the 56-Samserganj Assembly Constituency (Murshidabad District); Nitish Das, who was a Revenue Officer and also served as AERO in the 55-Farakka Assembly Constituency; and Dalia Ray Chowdhury, who was associated with the Women's Development Office, Maynaguri Development Block and 16-Maynaguri Assembly Constituency.
SK Murshid Alam (ADA, Suti Block and 57-Suti Assembly Constituency), Satyajit Das (Joint BDO/FEO, 139-Canning Purbo), Joydeep Kundu (139-Canning Purbo), and Debashish Biswas (Joint BDO and 229-Debra Assembly Constituency), who have been accused of negligence and violation of rules during the revision process are also included.
