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Kolkata: Amid indications that the Election Commission of India’s special intensive review (SIR) in West Bengal will begin after October 15, election officials in the state have received solid assurances that the ECI will not remain silent in case of even a single incident of breach of security of any official during the on-field exercise for review.
A central team of ECI led by Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti gave this assurance in a meeting with district level election officials of East Midnapore, Jhargram and Bankura on Thursday.
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were particularly reassured in this regard, considering that they would be primarily engaged in field exercises during the vetting process. An insider in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said the ECI central team assured him that even a single breach in the security of any election official would be dealt with strictly and it would be the responsibility of the West Bengal government to ensure the security of officials.
The meeting was held at Kolaghat in East Midnapore district. An insider in the CEO’s office said, “On one hand, the central ECI team warned district-level election officials of disciplinary action in case of lapses in conducting the SIR process. On the other hand, the ECI representatives assured them of taking every possible measure to prevent any breach of security while carrying out the amendment process. The central ECI team also assured that the ECI will keep a strict vigil on this issue throughout the entire SIR process in the state. Will keep watch.”
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari has sought ECI action against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly making baseless allegations against a section of Commission officials, especially targeting West Bengal CEO, Manoj Kumar Agarwal.
Addressing media persons at the state secretariat on Thursday, Mamata Banerjee, without naming Agarwal, said that the special officer, who has been in West Bengal, had “numerous allegations of corruption” against him.
“I will expose him when the time comes. I hope he will not act beyond his authority. He is unnecessarily threatening state government officials. The state administration has not yet been taken over by the ECI. Then why is the Commission now holding meetings with booth-level officials?” the Chief Minister asked on Wednesday.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s comments, the LoP said such blatant and audacious threats made by Mamata Banerjee against the CEO, who is the constitutional representative of the ECI in the state, are a matter of grave concern.
“I urge the Election Commission of India to take immediate cognizance of this matter and initiate strict action against Mamata Banerjee for her repeated attempts to undermine the democratic process and intimidate constitutional authorities. Further, I request that the CEO be provided with central security at his office and residence to ensure his safety, as there is a clear and present danger from these threats in a state where lawlessness is rampant,” the official said.
–IANS