Election Commission vs Bengal Govt: Poll Booth Tiff Turns Legal Battle

A major conflict has emerged between the Election Commission and West Bengal government over election booth maintenance. The ECI wants state-run Mackintosh Burn to handle infrastructure work instead of the old decentralized system. Surprisingly, after initially agreeing, Mackintosh Burn backed out of the commitment. Now the CEO's office has threatened legal action including criminal proceedings against the company directors.

Key Points: ECI Bengal Government Clash Over Election Booth Agency

  • ECI wants to replace decentralized fund system with transparent process
  • Mackintosh Burn initially agreed then backtracked on booth maintenance work
  • CEO office threatens criminal proceedings under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
  • Both state government and MBL maintain silence over the legal ultimatum
3 min read

ECI-Bengal govt tiff surfaces over agency for election booth infrastructure maintenance

Election Commission threatens legal action against West Bengal government undertaking Mackintosh Burn over poll booth maintenance dispute ahead of Assembly elections.

"After initial discussions, Mackintosh Burn management agreed to take up the AMF activities for the election booths - CEO's office insider"

Kolkata, Oct 19

A fresh tussle has erupted between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government over the choice of the agency needed to maintain infrastructure facilities, technically termed as Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) and Extended Minimum Facilities (EMF), for the polling booths in the state amid the Assembly elections in the state next year.

The ECI and the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, are in favour of discarding the old decentralised system through the fund allotments to the District Magistrates (also the District Election Officers) for election-related expenses, a major part of which is infrastructure development for the booths.

The ECI aimed to replace the existing decentralised process for utilising election funds with a more transparent system, bringing greater clarity and preventing misuse of expenditures in this area. It wants any reputed state-run entity to carry out the AMF activities, and accordingly, the CEO’s office contacted the West Bengal government undertaking Mackintosh Burn Limited (MBL), which has years of proven experience in infrastructure construction and maintenance.

The tussle, insiders from the CEO’s office said, started from that point. “After initial discussions, Mackintosh Burn management agreed to take up the AMF activities for the election booths. But to the surprise of the ECI and the CEO’s office, last week, the Mackintosh Burn management communicated to the CEO’s office about their inability to carry out the work,” a CEO’s office insider said.

However, the ECI has not taken this approach of the Mackintosh Burn management to backtrack after giving initial consent to carry out the work lightly, and the CEO’s office has forwarded a fresh communique to the management. The ECI and the CEO’s office exercised their authority under certain sections of The Representation of the People Act, 1951, and directed the state government undertaking to carry out the AMF activities as was agreed earlier.

In the fresh communique from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to the Director of the Mackintosh Burn, to start the preparatory exercise for the election booth maintenance activities, or face consequences under the existing legal provisions, including criminal proceedings against the directors of the entity under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

At the time the report was filed, there was no reaction either from Mackintosh Burn management or from the state government on this fresh communique from the CEO’s office. In fact, both the state government officials as well as the top officers of Mackintosh Burn, which is a state government undertaking, have maintained absolute silence over the development so far.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is typical political drama before elections in Bengal. Both sides should focus on ensuring smooth polling rather than playing blame games. Common people just want free and fair elections.
A
Arjun K
Threatening criminal proceedings seems too harsh. ECI should try to resolve this through dialogue rather than legal threats. The company might have genuine reasons for backing out.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked in infrastructure projects, I can say MBL has good reputation. Their sudden withdrawal is suspicious. Must be political pressure from state government. 😠
V
Vikram M
Elections are the foundation of our democracy. ECI must ensure proper facilities at polling booths. Voters shouldn't suffer because of administrative tussles. Hope this gets resolved soon! 🙏
M
Michael C
Why can't they find a middle path? Maybe involve multiple agencies to ensure work gets done on time. Elections are too important to be delayed by such bureaucratic issues.

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