Election Commission Takes Unprecedented Action Against Bengal Electoral Officers
In a landmark disciplinary move, the Election Commission of India has suspended seven assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) involved in the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. The commission cited "serious misconduct, dereliction of duty and misuse of statutory powers" as the grounds for this decisive action.
Direct Suspension Under Statutory Powers
Unlike previous instances where the commission requested the state government to suspend errant officers, the EC this time exercised its direct authority under Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. This represents a significant escalation in enforcement measures. The commission has directed the West Bengal chief secretary to ensure disciplinary proceedings are initiated against the suspended officers by their respective cadre-controlling authorities and has requested regular updates on the matter.
Officers Facing Immediate Suspension
The officials placed under immediate suspension include:
- Sefaur Rahaman, assistant director in agriculture department (Samserganj)
- Nitish Das, revenue officer (Farakka)
- Dalia Ray Choudhury, women development officer (Maynaguri)
- Murshid Alam, ADA (Suti)
- Satyajit Das, joint BDO (Canning Purbo)
- Joydeep Kundu, FEO (Canning Purbo)
- Debashis Biswas, joint BDO (Debra)
Nature of Alleged Misconduct
According to commission sources, these officers were found to have cleared multiple electoral roll cases despite glaring irregularities. During scrutiny of cases pending final publication, they approved applications despite:
- Non-submission of required documents
- Inconsistencies in mapping and eligibility criteria
- Failure to take corrective action on identified issues
Four officers—Dalia Ray Choudhury, Satyajit Das, Joydeep Kundu and Debashis Biswas—were specifically noted to have cleared cases despite adverse remarks from micro-observers regarding insufficient documentation or missing paperwork.
Officer Response and Commission Review Mechanism
When approached for comment, Dalia Ray Choudhury stated, "I gave my 100% and worked only as instructed. I don't know what will happen next." Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal emphasized the unprecedented nature of this direct suspension, noting that such action has never occurred in any other state. Agarwal confirmed that the suspension will be reviewed every three months by a three-member committee, and all cases handled by these seven AEROs will undergo thorough re-examination by electoral registration officers.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
This decisive action underscores the Election Commission's heightened vigilance regarding electoral roll integrity ahead of upcoming elections. The commission's willingness to invoke its statutory powers directly rather than relying on state government cooperation signals a new approach to enforcing electoral discipline. The cases in question involved potential approval of ineligible voters, representing a serious breach of electoral protocols that could have compromised the democratic process.
The Election Commission's firm stance serves as a strong deterrent against future misconduct by electoral officials across India. This development comes amid increased scrutiny of electoral processes nationwide, with particular attention to states with upcoming elections. The commission's proactive measures aim to ensure that electoral rolls remain accurate, transparent, and free from manipulation, thereby safeguarding the fundamental principles of democratic representation.
