Kolkata, 13 February (H.S.): Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has raised objections to a list of 8,505 Group-B officers submitted by the state government. The Commission has reportedly found that around 500 of the officers named in the list are already functioning as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).
According to a senior source in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the names of the 8,505 Group-B officers were sought from the state government to deploy them as micro-observers in the voter revision exercise. However, since nearly 500 of them are already discharging responsibilities as AEROs, appointing them as micro-observers would be illogical, given the distinct roles and functions of micro-observers and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs)/AEROs.
The CEO’s office source further stated that although the deadline for completion of hearing sessions related to the SIR exercise expires on Saturday, the Commission is yet to receive detailed background information about these 8,505 officers, including their current pay bands and departmental affiliations, from the state government or the respective departments.
The Commission had sought comprehensive details after receiving information that all 8,505 officers included in the list belong to the Group-B category. There are also indications that the name of a retired state government officer may have been included in the list.
Reacting strongly to the development, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, alleged that only those officers and employees considered close to the ruling Trinamool Congress have been included in the electoral roll-related assignments.
Adhikari claimed that the move appears to be an attempt to influence the electoral process through backdoor means. He questioned the transparency of the exercise and urged the ECI to examine the matter thoroughly and take appropriate steps.
The issue has triggered fresh political controversy in the state, with attention now focused on the Commission’s next course of action.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
