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ECI Warns Against Intimidation of Electoral Officers in West Bengal SIR Exercise

The Election Commission of India has issued a stern warning that it will not tolerate any intimidation of electoral officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision exercise in West Bengal. This message was directly conveyed to a Trinamool Congress delegation during a meeting in Delhi, following reports of disrupted hearing sessions and disorder around election officials. The Commission has made clear that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the statutory SIR process, including instances where TMC legislators have been named in allegations. Furthermore, the ECI stated it will proceed with setting up polling booths in private housing complexes and has urged the state government to release enhanced honorarium for Booth-Level Officers.

Key Points: ECI Warns Against Intimidation of Bengal Electoral Officers

  • ECI warns against intimidating officers
  • Action promised for disrupting SIR process
  • TMC delegation told to control cadres
  • Polling booths in housing complexes to proceed
2 min read

Will not tolerate intimidation of electoral officers engaged in SIR in Bengal: ECI

ECI warns political parties against intimidating officers during West Bengal's voter list revision. Strict action promised for disruptions.

"will not tolerate any intimidation of electoral officers - Election Commission of India"

Kolkata, Dec 31

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday said it will not tolerate any intimidation of electoral officers, including Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Booth-Level Officers and election observers engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise in West Bengal.

According to sources in the Commission, the message was conveyed clearly to the Trinamool Congress delegation of MPs led by the party's general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, during their meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar earlier in the day in Delhi, where the delegation raised objections to the SIR process.

The Commission's warning comes amid reports of disruption and forceful stoppage of hearing sessions on claims and objections related to the draft voters' list in parts of West Bengal over the past few days. There have also been instances of disorder around the vehicle of a special roll observer appointed by the ECI to review the revision exercise in the state.

ECI sources said the Commission has made it clear that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands or disrupt statutory processes mandated under the SIR.

The Commission also told the Trinamool Congress delegation that the party leadership must ensure that its ground-level representatives do not engage in threatening or intimidating election officials performing their duties.

Incidentally, the names of two Trinamool Congress legislators -- Asit Majumdar and Ashima Patra -- and a member of the state cabinet, Udayan Guha, have surfaced in recent days in connection with allegations that they played a leading role in disrupting and forcefully shutting down hearing sessions while demanding that party booth-level agents be allowed to remain present during the proceedings.

ECI sources further said the Commission has made it clear to the Trinamool Congress delegation that objections to its proposal to set up polling booths within private housing complexes will not be entertained and that the exercise will go ahead as planned.

At the same time, the Election Commission has asked the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth-Level Officers (BLOs), as approved by the Commission.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's concerning to see the names of elected legislators linked to disrupting official processes. The ECI must follow through with strict, non-partisan action against anyone guilty, regardless of their position.
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Priyanka N
Good step by ECI. But will the warning be enough? In the past, such warnings have been ignored on the ground. They need to deploy central forces to protect the officers during the revision work. Action speaks louder than words.
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Aman W
The part about releasing the enhanced honorarium for BLOs is crucial. These officers work at the grassroots, often under tremendous pressure. Timely and fair payment is the least we can do to support their integrity.
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Michael C
While the ECI's stance is firm and necessary, one hopes this doesn't become a tool for partisan application. The focus must remain solely on protecting the electoral process and the officials, not settling political scores.
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Nisha Z
Setting up booths in private complexes is a smart move to increase accessibility, especially for senior citizens and those in gated communities. Objections to this seem more about controlling the voting environment than genuine concern.

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

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