EC suspends 7 WB officials over SIR lapses, citing negligence and misuse of power

The Election Commission on Monday suspended seven officials in West Bengal with immediate effect for serious lapses during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing negligence, dereliction of duty and misuse of statutory powers.

All the suspended officers were working as assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) and were posted in different assembly segments across the state. Booth-level officers, electoral registration officers and their assistants are state government employees deputed to the EC for updating electoral rolls and assisting in the conduct of elections. According to official orders, the Commission directed West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty to initiate disciplinary proceedings immediately through the respective cadre-controlling authorities and submit a compliance report without delay. The chief secretary has also been summoned to New Delhi , with February 17 set as the deadline for action.

An EC official said the suspensions followed substantiated complaints and internal scrutiny, which revealed serious procedural violations, arbitrary approvals, failure to verify documents and misuse of statutory authority during the revision process. “The Commission has taken a serious view of these lapses. No compromise will be allowed when it comes to the sanctity of electoral rolls. Accountability will be enforced at every level,” the official said, adding that free and fair elections depend on accurate voter lists .

The action was taken under Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 , read with the plenary powers of the EC under Article 324 of the Constitution , which place all election-related officials under the Commission’s control during electoral duties. Sources said the Supreme Court had earlier sought strict action in some of these cases , but delays in disciplinary proceedings by the state administration prompted the EC to order direct suspensions to ensure swift accountability .

The Commission also directed the filing of cases related to alleged inclusion of fictitious voters, data security lapses and violations of statutory guidelines, indicating that further action could follow based on the findings of ongoing probes. The SIR exercise in West Bengal has now reached its final scrutiny phase, with over one crore documents examined and more than 10 lakh discrepancies flagged. The final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on February 28 .

The EC’s move triggered a sharp political reaction from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) . Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the poll body of overreach and political bias , alleging that the Commission was acting under pressure from the Centre . “This is an attempt to harass state officials and destabilise the administration. We will not allow any conspiracy to deprive genuine voters of their democratic rights,” she said.Questioning the timing and intent of the SIR exercise , Banerjee warned that a hurried and flawed revision could lead to large-scale deletion of legitimate voters , especially among migrant workers, minorities and economically weaker sections . Senior TMC leaders echoed her views, accusing the EC of selective targeting of West Bengal and asserting that the party would challenge the Commission’s actions legally and politically.

The developments highlight the Election Commission’s determination to enforce strict standards in voter list management , while also bringing into sharp focus the deepening standoff between the poll body and the West Bengal government over the conduct and scope of the SIR exercise.