New Delhi, February 16 Using its powers under electoral law, the Election Commission has suspended seven officials, deployed as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) in West Bengal, with immediate effect for serious misconduct, dereliction of duty, and misuse of statutory powers in connection with the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process in the state.
These suspended officials were state government employees who were working on deputation for the EC to update the voter list and assist in holding elections.
Quoting orders, EC officials said that the poll authority has directed the state Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty to initiate disciplinary proceedings against these officials by their respective cadre controlling authorities immediately, without any delay, and to inform the Commission about it.
The EC and the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal have been at loggerheads over the ongoing special intensive revision of the voter list. The poll authority used powers under section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act 1950 to take action against the seven.
As per the Terms of Settlement arrived at between the Commission and the Union government following a Supreme Court Order of September 2000, the disciplinary functions of the Election Commission over officers, staff and police deputed to perform election duties will extend to "Suspending any officer/official/police personnel for insubordination or dereliction of duty."
