Election Commission Takes Strong Stand Against TMC's Conduct in Bengal
In a significant development, the Election Commission of India held a crucial meeting with Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Mamata Banerjee on Monday, where it raised serious concerns about the party's conduct in West Bengal. The commission specifically highlighted the repeated use of abusive and threatening language by TMC MLAs against EC officials and field officers, which has created a hostile environment for electoral processes.
Multiple Violations Flagged by Election Commission
The meeting, which took place in New Delhi, addressed several critical issues that have been troubling the election machinery in Bengal. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar firmly conveyed to Mamata Banerjee that "the rule of law shall prevail and anybody taking law into their own hands shall be dealt with strictly, as per provisions of law and powers vested in the Commission." This strong statement came amidst growing concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation related to electoral activities.
One of the most serious allegations raised by the EC involved the vandalisation of SIR-related offices in Bengal by TMC workers and elected representatives. These offices, crucial for the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) and other election-related activities, have reportedly faced damage and disruption, hampering the democratic process.
Administrative Failures and Defiance of EC Directives
The Election Commission also listed multiple instances where the Bengal administration has shown blatant disregard for lawful directions:
- Delayed Payments to BLOs: The state government has failed to release honorarium payable to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in a timely manner. Currently, only Rs 7,000 out of Rs 18,000 due to each BLO has been paid, creating financial hardship for these crucial ground-level workers.
- Inadequate Officer Deployment: The Bengal administration has not spared officers at the sub-magistrate or tehsildar level for deployment as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) or Assistant EROs, despite repeated requests from the EC.
- Substandard Returning Officer Appointments: The EC pointed out that it had moved a proposal for appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) as per established criteria on January 20. However, at present, ROs in only 67 assembly constituencies are of Sub-Divisional Officer/Sub-Divisional Magistrate rank, falling short of the required standards.
Additional Concerns Raised During the Meeting
The Election Commission brought up several other contentious issues that have been affecting the electoral process in Bengal:
- Unauthorized Transfers: The Bengal government transferred three electoral roll observers without consulting the EC. Despite the commission requesting cancellation of these transfer orders on January 27, no action has been taken so far.
- Defiance of FIR Instructions: According to an EC source, the Bengal government has defied the commission's instructions dated August 5, 2025, to register FIRs against four officers (two EROs and two AEROs) and one data entry operator. These individuals failed to perform their statutory duties and violated data security policies by sharing login credentials with unauthorized persons. The EC sent a stern reminder about this matter on January 12 this year.
Tense Exchange During the Meeting
Sources revealed that the meeting witnessed a tense exchange between the Election Commission officials and Mamata Banerjee. While Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two election commissioners patiently heard all her concerns regarding the SIR and offered polite explanations, the TMC president reportedly raised false allegations, misbehaved, thumped the table, and left the meeting in a huff.
The EC emphasized during the meeting that "no pressure, obstruction, or interference of any kind by anyone should be exerted on officers engaged in SIR work," underlining the importance of maintaining the independence and integrity of election-related operations.
This confrontation comes at a critical juncture as Bengal prepares for upcoming electoral processes, with the Election Commission taking a firm stand to ensure free and fair elections in the state. The commission's strong message indicates its determination to uphold democratic principles and maintain the sanctity of electoral procedures despite political pressures.
