EC suspends 7 Bengal officials for SIR misconduct, directs chief secy to initiate disciplinary proceedings

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended seven West Bengal officials at the level of assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) with immediate effect, for "serious misconduct, dereliction of duty and misuse of statutory powers” in connection with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state.

What is the reason of suspension?

The Election Commission cited serious misconduct, dereliction of duty, and misuse of statutory powers as grounds for the action.

The commission has also directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty to initiate disciplinary proceedings against all the seven officers.

Who are suspended?

All the suspended officers were working as assistant electoral registration officers for the commission.

Booth-level and electoral registration officers and their assistants are state government employees who work on deputation for the EC to update the voters' list and help hold elections.

The seven officials suspended by the EC with immediate effect include AEROs of Samserganj assembly constituency (AC); Farakka AC; Maynaguri AC; Suti AC; Canning Purbo AC; and Debra AC.

• Sefaur Rahaman, Assistant Director of Agriculture Department and AERO for 56-Samserganj Assembly Constituency, District Murshidabad.
• Nitish Das, Revenue Officer, Farakka, and AERO for 55-Farakka Assembly Constituency.
• Dalia Ray Choudhury, Women Development Officer, Maynaguri Development Block, and AERO for 16-Maynaguri Assembly Constituency.
• Murshid Alam, ADA, Suti Block, and AERO for 57-Suti Assembly Constituency.
• Satyajit Das, Joint BDO and AERO for 139-Canning Purbo Assembly Constituency.
• Joydeep Kundu, FEO and AERO for 139-Canning Purbo Assembly Constituency.
• Debashis Biswas, Joint BDO and AERO for 229-Debra Assembly Constituency.

What is the reason of suspension?

The suspension is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and strict compliance during the SIR exercise, according to the EC.

The EC has also asked the state administration to keep the commission informed about the progress of these proceedings.