The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended seven officials in West Bengal with immediate effect, citing serious misconduct, dereliction of duty, and misuse of statutory powers in connection with the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Invoking its powers under Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Commission placed the officials under suspension and directed the Chief Secretary of West Bengal to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them without delay.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the Commission said, “The action has been taken in view of serious lapses observed in the discharge of statutory responsibilities related to the revision of electoral rolls. Such misconduct undermines the integrity of the electoral process and will not be tolerated.”
The Commission further instructed that disciplinary proceedings be initiated by the respective cadre-controlling authorities of the suspended officers. It also directed that it be kept informed of the progress in these proceedings.
“The Commission has made it clear that accountability in election-related duties is paramount. Any misuse of statutory powers will invite strict action,” a senior official familiar with the development said.
The officials suspended include: Sefaur Rahaman, Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) and Assistant Director, Agriculture Department, 56-Samserganj Assembly Constituency, Murshidabad district.
Nitish Das, Revenue Officer, Farakka and AERO for 55-Farakka Assembly Constituency. Dalia Ray Choudhury, Women Development Officer, Maynaguri Development Block and AERO for 16-Maynaguri Assembly Constituency. Sk. Murshid Alam, Assistant Development Administrator (ADA), Suti Block and AERO for 57-Suti Assembly Constituency.
Satyajit Das, Joint Block Development Officer (Jt BDO) and AERO for 139-Canning Purbo Assembly Constituency. Joydeep Kundu, Field Election Officer (FEO) and AERO for 139-Canning Purbo Assembly Constituency.
Debashis Biswas, Joint Block Development Officer and AERO for 229-Debra Assembly Constituency.
Assistant Electoral Registration Officers play a critical role in maintaining and revising electoral rolls, including the addition, deletion, and correction of voter details during revision exercises such as the SIR.
The accuracy and transparency of this process are considered foundational to free and fair elections.
Under Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Commission is empowered to exercise control over officers involved in election-related duties and to recommend or direct disciplinary action where necessary.
