Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty on Tuesday apprised the Election Commission about partial compliance of the commission’s directions pending with the state govt—including filing of FIRs against four officers for violation of data security and suspension of the Basirhat assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) — within the Feb 17, 5.30 pm deadline set by the poll panel.However, compliance remains pending as regards EC direction dated Feb 13 to Chakravorty for cancellation of transfer orders issued by the state govt in respect of three electoral roll observers—Aswini Kumar yadav, Randhir Kumar, and Smita Pandey—without prior consultation with the poll panel. Also, the state govt is yet to send a proposal regarding appointment of returning officers (ROs) and electoral registration officer (EROs) as per criteria laid down by EC.
The norms require them to be officers at the level of sub divisional magistrate (SDM), sub divisional officer (SDO) or revenue divisional officer. At present, ROs in only 67 of the state’s 294 assembly constituencies (ACs) and EROs in only 68 ACs are of the rank of SDO/SDM. Confirming receipt of the compliance letter from West Bengal chief secretary on Tuesday, EC sources told TOI that the commission, which is currently on a visit to Assam, “shall examine the letter upon its return here”.Meanwhile, the West Bengal chief electoral officer, in a post on X on Tuesday, said he had suspended three micro observers, based on reports of EC-appointed district electoral roll observers. “Electoral roll micro observers being under deputation to ECI are directed to perform their duties diligently and not to outsource/delegate their work to anyone else, failing which they will be liable for the consequences,” he posted.Only on Sunday, the EC had suspended seven AEROs in the state with immediate effect, over “dereliction of duty”. During its meeting with West Bengal chief secretary here last week, EC had asked the state administration to comply with its directions regarding payment of honorarium to BLOs, appointment of suitable SIR/poll-related officers, rescinding of unilateral transfer of roll observers and registration of FIRs against errant officers, latest by 5.30 pm on Feb 17.The February 17, 5.30 pm deadline set by EC, however, was not in respect of the pending honorarium dues.
