A Bold Move: Election Commission Suspends Seven AEROs in Bengal

Suvendu Adhikari accused the Election Commission of unprecedented action by suspending seven AEROs in West Bengal for SIR-related misconduct. The move follows pressure from the Mamata Banerjee government. The TMC claims the suspensions were unjust. Disciplinary measures are now demanded from the state, highlighting ongoing controversies in the voter roll revision process.

In a significant move, the Election Commission has suspended seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers in West Bengal. This decision marks the first instance of direct penalization for statutory misconduct related to the SIR exercise, following alleged pressure from the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

The suspensions indicate severe violations, such as accepting fake documents during voter verification. The BJP's Suvendu Adhikari criticized the handling of EC-related files, accusing the state of bypassing standard procedures.

The Trinamool Congress contests these actions, arguing that the penalized officers refused to succumb to unwarranted pressures, suggesting an ongoing political tussle between state and central powers over the election process in Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies.)