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ECI Removes 73 Returning Officers in West Bengal Ahead of Crucial Polls

The Election Commission of India has removed 73 Returning Officers in poll-bound West Bengal, a move affecting a quarter of all constituencies. This action escalates existing tensions with the state government, which is already contesting the transfer of several top bureaucrats and police officers. A Public Interest Litigation challenging these transfers has been filed in the Calcutta High Court, where the ECI defended its authority to ensure free and fair elections. The court's division bench will hear the matter again on Wednesday.

Key Points: ECI Removes 73 Returning Officers in West Bengal Before Polls

  • 73 Returning Officers removed
  • Tensions with state government
  • PIL filed in Calcutta High Court
  • Polls scheduled for April 23 & 29
  • Transfers part of ensuring free & fair polls
2 min read

ECI removes 73 returning officers in poll-bound West Bengal

Election Commission removes 73 Returning Officers in West Bengal, escalating tensions with state govt ahead of April elections. High Court hears PIL.

"nearly 26 per cent of the total ROs in the state have been replaced"

Kolkata, March 23

In a significant development late on Monday evening, the Election Commission of India removed as many as 73 Returning Officers in West Bengal, which is scheduled to go to the polls in two phases next month on April 23 and April 29.

The development opens a new line of confrontation between the ECI and the West Bengal government, as the state government and the ruling Trinamool Congress are already up in arms against the Commission over the transfer of several bureaucrats and police officers of the state cadre, including the erstwhile Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, former state Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena, erstwhile acting Director General of Police Peeyush Pandey, and former Commissioner of Kolkata Police Supratim Sarkar, among others.

The total number of Assembly constituencies in West Bengal is 294, with one Returning Officer typically appointed for each constituency. With the removal of 73 ROs, nearly 26 per cent of the total ROs in the state have been replaced. The Commission issued a notification in this regard on Monday night.

Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the ECI's decision to transfer several top bureaucrats and police officers of the state cadre. The preliminary hearing in the matter was held on Monday.

During the hearing, the ECI's counsel informed a division bench of the Calcutta High Court that transfers of bureaucrats and police officers vary from state to state depending on ground-level requirements.

The counsel submitted that while the Commission does not have unbridled powers, it has the authority to take necessary decisions to ensure that the polling process remains free, fair, and violence-free.

He also placed before the court details of bureaucrats and police officers transferred, replaced, and sent on deputation in other poll-bound states.

The next hearing in the matter by the division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen has been scheduled for Wednesday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is getting messy. While the ECI must ensure fair polls, removing 73 officers at once creates administrative chaos right before voting. Hope this doesn't disrupt the process for common voters like us who just want to cast our vote peacefully.
S
Siddharth J
The ECI's counsel made a valid point in court - their powers aren't unbridled, but they have a duty. Seeing similar actions in other poll-bound states shows this is a standard procedure, not targeting Bengal specifically. Let the institutions work.
A
Ananya R
As a Bengali, I welcome this. We need a violence-free election. If the previous officers couldn't guarantee that, or were perceived as biased, they must go. The PIL will bring clarity, but until then, ECI's authority should be respected.
M
Michael C
Observing from outside, this seems like a dramatic step. Replacing 26% of key electoral officials is significant. The High Court's review is essential for checks and balances. Hope the final decision prioritizes the integrity of the electoral process.
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, I have to question the timing and scale. While the intent may be good, such a large-scale removal so close to the polls feels disruptive. Couldn't this have been done earlier with more transparency? The ECI must also be accountable.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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