Kolkata, 12 August (H.S.): Tensions have once again escalated between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government, with the ECI summoning state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to Delhi. The Commission has accused the state administration of defying its directive to suspend four officials and register FIRs against them over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll.

According to senior Secretariat sources, Pant is scheduled to leave for Delhi on Wednesday morning. “If they have summoned me, I have to go,” he reportedly told close aides. During the meeting, he is expected to explain why the state government initiated an internal probe instead of implementing the suspension order.

The dispute dates back to August 5, when the ECI issued a letter directing the immediate suspension of the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) of Moyna and Baruipur East Assembly constituencies. They were accused of serious lapses in the voter registration process. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had publicly stated that no punitive action would be taken against them.

Last Friday, the Commission sent a fresh letter to the Chief Secretary, reiterating its order and seeking a compliance report by 3 p.m. on Monday. In response, the state government informed that the accused AERO in Moyna and a data entry operator had merely been removed from election duties, not suspended. Viewing this as a violation of its directive, the ECI issued the summons for Pant’s appearance in Delhi.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh