The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday summoned West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to appear before it in New Delhi by Wednesday evening to explain why an FIR was not registered against the five officials accused of preparing lists comprising fake voters, despite the Commission’s directive to do so.
The Commission had also directed the Chief Secretary to suspend the five officials in connection with alleged fraudulent registration of 127 voters using forged documents in the Baruipur Purba and Moyna Assembly constituencies.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday reiterated that her government will stand by the employees involved in the voter list revision work, an official said.
Upon receiving the order, Pant on Tuesday met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and it was decided that he will leave for the national Capital to appear before the ECI, sources said.
On Monday, Pant had submitted a compliance report to the ECI, stating, “As a first step, the services of Shri Sudipta Das, PAAO, Tamluk Block and AERO (Assistant Electoral Registration Officer), 206-Moyna AC and Shri Surojit Halder, the Data Entry Operator, 137 Baruipur Purba AC have been withdrawn from electoral revision and election related duties. Further action taken report will be submitted post completion of enquiry.”
The ECI had set the Monday afternoon (3 pm) deadline for the suspension of Debottam Dutta Choudhury (ERO, 137-Baruipur Purba Assembly constituency), Tathagata Mondal (AERO, 137-Baruipur Purba Assembly constituency), Biplab Sarkar (ERO, 206-Moyna Assembly constituency), besides Surojit Halder and Sudipta Das — and for filing FIRs against them.
Defending the officials, the Chief Secretary wrote, “In light of the above, it is submitted that initiating proceedings before a detailed enquiry, against these officers who have consistently demonstrated sincerity and competence may be a disproportionately harsh measure. Such an action could have a demoralising impact not only on the individuals concerned but also on the broader team of officers engaged in electoral responsibilities and other administrative functions.”
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The Commission’s reminder letter, signed by ECI secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra, said no compliance report with “specific actions” had been received. It was sent a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had publicly announced that she would not carry out the suspension orders, saying she would “protect the employees of the state government at any cost”.
The alleged fraudulent registration of 127 voters using forged documents had come after the Bengal Chief Electoral Office submitted a report.
In a meeting at state secretariat Nabanna on Tuesday, CM Banerjee advised the employees involved in voter list revision work to carry out their duties honestly and without any fear, an official said.
“The CM said those engaged in voter list work must not be kept in a state of fear. She referred to the NRC process in Assam, and accused the Assam government of creating panic among residents. She said that the West Bengal government would stand beside its people,” the official said. — PTI inputs
