West Bengal Chief Secretary sends compliance letter to EC; FIR against four police officers | India News

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty on Tuesday informed the Election Commission that the commission had partially complied with its instructions to the state government, including filing of FIRs against four officials for breach of data security and suspension of Basirhat Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), within the deadline of 5.30 pm on February 17 set by the poll panel.However, the directive issued by the EC to Chakravorty on February 13 to cancel the transfer orders issued by the state government to three electoral roll observers – Aswini Kumar yadav, Randhir Kumar and Smita Pandey without prior consultation with the poll panel has not been complied with. Also, the state government is yet to send proposals for appointment of Returning Officer (RO) and Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) as per the criteria laid down by the Election Commission.

The norms require them to be officers at the level of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), sub-divisional officer (SDO) or revenue department officer. Currently, only ROs in 67 of the 294 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in the state and EROs in 68 ACs are at the SDO/SDM level. Sources in the European Commission, which on Tuesday confirmed receipt of the compliance letter from the West Bengal chief secretary, told TOI that the commission, which is currently on a visit to Assam, “will review the letter once it returns here”.Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal posted on X on Tuesday that he has suspended three micro observers based on the reports of the district electoral roll observers appointed by the Election Commission. “Electoral roll micro-observers commissioned by the Electoral Commission must perform their duties diligently and must not outsource/delegate their work to anyone else or face the consequences,” he posted.On Sunday alone, the European Commission summarily suspended seven professional qualifications in the state, citing “neglect of duty.” In a meeting with the West Bengal chief secretary last week, the EC asked the state administration to comply with its directives on payment of honorarium to BLO, appointment of suitable SIR/poll-related officers, revocation of unilateral transfer of roster observers and registration of FIR against erroneous officers latest by 5.30 pm on February 17.However, the deadline of 5.30 pm on February 17 set by the EC does not relate to the gratuity to be paid.