ECI Issues Monday Deadline to Bengal Government Over Non-Compliance Issues
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken decisive action against the West Bengal government, setting a firm deadline for compliance with electoral directives. This development comes just hours after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presented her case before the Supreme Court regarding electoral roll revisions in the state.
Strict Deadline for Compliance Report
In a strongly worded letter addressed to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, the ECI has demanded a comprehensive compliance report by 3 pm on Monday, February 9, 2026. This deadline coincides with the same day the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Banerjee's petition challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The communication from Sujeet Kumar Misra, Secretary of the ECI, explicitly states that the state government has failed to adhere to multiple commission directives. The letter outlines several specific instances where West Bengal authorities have not complied with established electoral procedures and legal requirements.
Specific Violations Cited by Election Commission
The ECI letter details multiple areas of non-compliance that require immediate attention from state officials:
- FIR Registrations Against Officials: The commission noted that First Information Reports should have been filed against two electoral registration officers, two assistant electoral registration officers, and one data entry operator under relevant legal provisions. This action relates to violations of Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Suspension of Officials: The ECI highlighted the case of Sumitra Pratim Pradhan, an assistant electoral registration officer and Block Development Officer in Bashirhat, who allegedly deployed additional AEROs without proper authorization. The commission had previously requested compliance within 48 hours of receiving their January 25, 2026 letter.
- Unauthorized Transfers: The cancellation of transfers for electoral roll observers Asvini Kumar Yadav, Randhir Kumar, and Smita Pandey has been identified as a violation of commission instructions regarding the Special Intensive Revision process.
- Appointment Procedures: The letter cites improper appointment of sub-divisional officers and sub-divisional magistrates as electoral registration officers, which allegedly contradicts Supreme Court directions and established commission criteria.
Legal and Procedural Implications
The ECI communication emphasizes that these actions represent violations of both Supreme Court orders and established commission directives. Specific references include:
- Violation of Supreme Court Order dated September 21, 2000
- Non-compliance with Commission directions dated May 31, 2023
- Contravention of Commission instructions on SIR dated October 27, 2025
- Disregard for Supreme Court directions dated January 19, 2026
The letter references multiple previous communications from the ECI, including letters dated August 5, 2025; January 2, 2026; January 25, 2026; and February 2, 2026, among others, where compliance had been previously requested but not achieved.
Timing and Political Context
This development occurs against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings initiated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The West Bengal leader has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state, arguing that the process requires greater transparency and adherence to democratic principles.
The ECI's firm stance and specific deadline create a significant administrative challenge for the West Bengal government, which must now demonstrate compliance across multiple areas of electoral administration within a compressed timeframe. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between state authorities and central electoral bodies regarding election management procedures.
As the February 9 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how the West Bengal government responds to these compliance demands while simultaneously pursuing its legal challenge before the Supreme Court. The outcome could have significant implications for electoral processes in the state and potentially set precedents for center-state relations in election administration matters.
