ECI Suspends Officials Amid West Bengal's Election Roll Overhaul

The Election Commission of India has suspended seven officials in West Bengal for misconduct during the Special Intensive Revision process. A new electoral roll schedule was announced, extending deadlines for reviews and publication following a Supreme Court decision. Allegations of violence also prompted a show-cause notice to the state police chief.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step by suspending seven officials in West Bengal over alleged misconduct during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. These suspensions, considered a response to 'serious misconduct, dereliction of duty, and misuse of statutory powers,' have led to a directive from ECI towards the Chief Secretary to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the implicated officials.

The officials suspended are Dr Sefaur Rahaman, Nitish Das, Dalia Ray Choudhury, Sk. Murshid Alam, Satyajit Das, Joydeep Kundu, and Debashis Biswas, all holding roles as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) across various assembly constituencies. The decision comes amid a revised schedule announcement for the SIR process, mandated by a Supreme Court order.

According to the revised timeline, the hearing of notices is to conclude by February 14, with document reviews and claim disposals finalized by February 21. The rationalization of polling stations and health parameter checks should be completed by February 25 and 27, respectively, preceding the February 28 publication of the final electoral roll. This extension responds to both alleged procedural abuses and increased scrutiny needs. The Supreme Court also addressed allegations of violence, issuing a show-cause notice to West Bengal's police chief concerning the supposed destruction of election materials.

(With inputs from agencies.)