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ECI Rejects Bengal's Objections, Insists on Original IAS/IPS Observers List

The Election Commission of India has firmly rejected the West Bengal government's objections and alternative suggestions for central poll observers, insisting its original selection of 15 IAS and 10 IPS officers from the state cadre stands. These officers must report to New Delhi for a mandatory training program, with the rare inclusion of the state Home Secretary causing particular controversy. The Trinamool Congress has condemned the move as a unilateral conspiracy by the ECI acting for the BJP. In response, the ECI has held the state government responsible, claiming it was forced into a unilateral decision after the state ignored earlier requests for officer nominations.

Key Points: ECI Rejects Bengal's Objections on Central Poll Observers

  • ECI rejects Bengal's alternative list
  • Officers must attend Delhi training
  • Precedent of selecting state home secretary is rare
  • TMC calls move a BJP-backed conspiracy
  • ECI blames state for ignoring earlier communiques
2 min read

No change allowed in list of IAS, IPS officers from Bengal originally selected as central poll observers: ECI

ECI mandates 15 IAS & 10 IPS officers from Bengal as central poll observers, rejecting state's alternative list. TMC calls it unilateral.

"no change would be allowed in the list - Election Commission of India"

Kolkata, Feb 4

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday clearly communicated to the West Bengal government that no change would be allowed in the list of 15 Indian Administrative Service and 10 Indian Police Service officers from West Bengal cadre who were originally selected by the Commission for appointment as central poll observers for other states.

This means that these 15 IAS and 10 IPS officers will have to reach New Delhi by Wednesday night or at the latest by Thursday morning to attend the two-day training programme for the central poll observers' training starting from Thursday.

The ECI has thus rejected the alternative names suggested earlier by the West Bengal government for appointment as central poll observers.

Last month, the ECI communicated to West Bengal regarding the selection of these officers as central poll observers. However, the West Bengal government vehemently objected to the selection of certain people, especially the selection of state Home Secretary, Jagdish Prasad Meena.

It is within the Commission's rules to send IAS and IPS officers from one particular state as central poll observers for other states. But the precedent of selecting a state home secretary as a central poll observer is very rare. However, at the same time, no rule can prevent the Commission from selecting a state home secretary as a central poll observer.

The state government suggested the names of some alternative bureaucrats and cops from the state cadre to the Commission. However, on Wednesday, the Commission clearly informed the state government that its first choice of 15 IAS and 10 IPS officers will prevail.

Trinamool Congress had already described the move by the Commission as unilateral and yet another conspiracy on the part of the ECI acting on the behest of the BJP.

However, the ECI has held the state government responsible for this entire situation. Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) claimed that the Commission was forced to ultimately take a unilateral decision in selecting these officers, since earlier communiques from the panel to the state government to send names of bureaucrats and police officers for appointment as central poll observers were conspicuously ignored by the state government.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Sending the Home Secretary as an observer is indeed unusual. While the ECI has the right, it does raise eyebrows. Could have avoided this controversy by picking someone else. 🤔
R
Rohit P
Typical blame game before elections. State ignored ECI's earlier requests, so what did they expect? Now they cry foul. ECI had to take a firm stand. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As an observer from outside, this looks like a necessary step for impartiality. Sending officers to other states helps break local political pressures. A good precedent for free and fair elections.
V
Vikram M
The officers must be feeling the pressure. Pack your bags and report to Delhi immediately! This is service to the nation. Hope they perform their duty without fear or favour.
K
Kavya N
While I support ECI's authority, the timing and selection of specific officers does give some credence to TMC's allegations. Perception matters in democracy. Could have been handled with more dialogue.

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