Big action in Bengal: Election Commission suspends 7 officers for alleged SIR irregularities

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended seven officials involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal with immediate effect. This action was taken due to allegations of serious misconduct. The Commission has directed the state's Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, to initiate disciplinary action against the officials involved.

All the suspended officials were employed as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) in the SIR process. Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are typically state government employees deputed to the Commission for electoral work and updating voter lists.

According to the Commission's order, the Chief Secretary has been directed to initiate departmental action against the concerned officers through their cadre controlling authorities without any delay and to provide a detailed action taken report to the Commission.