Kolkata, February 17 – The office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced on Tuesday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had decided to suspend three micro-observers involved in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, due to allegations of dereliction of duty.
According to a statement from the West Bengal CEO's office, "Based on a report from District Electoral Roll Observers appointed by the ECI, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer has today afternoon suspended three micro observers. Electoral Roll Micro Observers (ERMOs), while on deputation to the ECI, are expected to perform their duties diligently and should not outsource or delegate their work to others. Failure to do so will have consequences," the statement said.
The three suspended micro-observers include a manager of Bengal Grameen Bikash Bank, a senior manager of the public sector UCO Bank, and one Central Excise Inspector.
They were appointed as micro observers by the ECI for the ongoing SIR exercise in the state.
The Commission has ordered a departmental inquiry into the involvement of the three government officials.
The ECI will be regularly updated on the progress of the investigation by their original appointing authorities.
Earlier, on Monday, the ECI had suspended seven assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs), all of whom were West Bengal government officials, due to allegations of dereliction of duty.
The ECI also asked the state government to initiate departmental proceedings against the seven AEROs.
However, on Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that although these seven AEROs will be removed from duties related to the SIR, none of them will lose their jobs.
"They will not be involved in any election-related duties. However, the state government will engage them in alternative areas. I am confident that they will perform well in those roles," the Chief Minister said.
She also accused the ECI of unilaterally suspending the seven AEROs.
"They were not given any opportunity to present their side of the argument. The Commission is constantly threatening the electoral officers and also interfering with the jurisdiction of the state government. I request the ECI to operate more democratically," the Chief Minister said.