The Election Commission of India is actively considering disciplinary measures against certain officials in Baruipur, following serious allegations of indiscipline and illegal activity during the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) exercise. The probe centers on the actions of a teacher who also served as a booth president for the Trinamool Congress.
Alleged Misconduct at Booth 94
According to official sources, the controversy unfolded at Booth 94 in the Baruipur East assembly constituency. A local teacher, who held the position of a booth president for the ruling Trinamool Congress, was initially appointed as the Booth Level Officer (BLO). However, after receiving several complaints regarding her appointment, the Election Commission intervened and replaced her with an Anganwadi worker on November 4.
Defying EC Orders
In a surprising turn of events, EC officials later discovered that the same teacher, despite being relieved of her BLO duties, had continued to collect SIR forms from voters. During checks, her signature was found on multiple forms, with the dates recorded as November 25—weeks after her removal. An EC official expressed shock at this blatant defiance of the Commission's direct order, stating that it was unacceptable for a person removed from duty to continue engaging in the electoral process.
Review and Potential Consequences
The matter was escalated to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for West Bengal, Manoj Agarwal, and the Sub-Divisional Officer (SRO), Subrata Gupta. The EC is now meticulously reviewing the action-taken report submitted by the Block Development Officer (BDO). This review will determine the final course of action, which could include strict disciplinary proceedings against the individuals involved for undermining the integrity of the electoral roll revision process.
The incident has raised significant concerns about protocol adherence and potential partisan interference in the foundational exercise of maintaining accurate voter lists. The Election Commission's forthcoming decision is being closely watched as a test of its resolve to ensure a fair and transparent electoral framework ahead of future polls.
