Act Against 4 Negligent Election Officers By 3 PM On Aug 11: ECI's Ultimatum To Bengal Govt

Last Updated:August 09, 2025, 05:43 IST

What appears to have alarmed the Election Commission is the lack of response from the state administration, despite clear-cut instructions

According to sources privy to the matter, the commission’s earlier inquiry revealed unexplained anomalies in the vetting, approval, and documentation of Form 6 applications in both constituencies, raising concerns about potential manipulation of the voter database—a serious infraction under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. File pic/PTI

In a strongly worded communication addressed to the chief secretary of West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has expressed serious concern over irregularities in the processing of Form 6 applications—documents submitted by citizens seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls in two assembly constituencies: 137-Baruipur Purba and 206-Moyna.

The letter, dispatched earlier this week, follows up on prior directives issued by the commission mandating the immediate suspension of four election officials—designated as electoral registration officers (EROs) and assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs)—for their alleged misconduct. Additionally, the ECI had instructed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against these officers, alongside formal complaint registrations or FIRs (first information reports) against them and a data entry operator implicated in the mishandling.

According to sources privy to the matter, the commission’s earlier inquiry revealed unexplained anomalies in the vetting, approval, and documentation of Form 6 applications in both constituencies, raising concerns about potential manipulation of the voter database—a serious infraction under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

What appears to have alarmed the commission further is the lack of response from the state administration, despite clear-cut instructions. The letter firmly states that no compliance report detailing the punitive or procedural action taken against the named officials has reached the commission’s office to date.

Citing urgency and the sanctity of the electoral process, the letter has now issued a final reminder to the state government, directing it to execute the pending actions without any further delay. The commission has set a hard deadline for compliance, demanding a detailed action report by 3 pm on August 11, 2025.

Failure to act, sources indicate, may invite further censure or even legal consequences under provisions that define the conduct of elections and administrative accountability protocols.

Political analysts say that the firm tone of the Election Commission underscores its intention to maintain transparency in voter enrolments amid increasing scrutiny of pre-poll preparations for the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal.

Kamalika Sengupta

Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...Read More

Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...

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August 09, 2025, 05:43 IST

News india Act Against 4 Negligent Election Officers By 3 PM On Aug 11: ECI's Ultimatum To Bengal Govt

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