EC Flags West Bengal Govt Ahead of SC Hearing

The Election Commission (EC) has flagged alleged non-compliance by the West Bengal government in implementing its directives related to electoral administration, and sought time-bound compliance by February 9, 2026 , a senior official said.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary , the EC noted that several earlier instructions remained unfulfilled despite repeated reminders . FIRs were yet to be filed against two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), two Assistant EROs (AEROs), and a Data Entry Operator under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 .

The EC also highlighted the failure to suspend Sumitra Pratim Pradhan, AERO and Block Development Officer (BDO) of Bashirhat-II , who allegedly unauthorisedly deployed 11 additional AEROs , contravening statutory provisions. Additionally, transfers of three Electoral Roll Observers Ashwini Kumar Yadav, Randhir Kumar, and Smita Pandey had not been cancelled, violating EC instructions on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) .

The commission further raised concerns about appointments of officers as EROs and Returning Officers not following prescribed criteria, specifically directing that SDO/SDM-level officers be appointed, as per EC instructions from June 2023 . Multiple letters issued between October 2025 and February 2026 were cited, with the EC requesting full compliance by 3 pm on February 9 .

The EC’s action underscores its mandate to ensure free, fair, and legally compliant elections , emphasizing accountability of state officials in electoral administration.