West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has escalated her confrontation with the Election Commission of India, sending her second strongly-worded letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar within a week. The CM raised serious objections to two recent EC decisions that she claims could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Questioning the Hiring of Data Entry Operators
In her Monday communication, Banerjee specifically challenged the EC's decision to employ an agency for bringing in 1,000 data entry operators and 50 software developers for a one-year period. She pointed out that the EC had directed district election officers not to engage contractual data entry operators and Bangla Sahitya Kendra staff for election-related data work.
The Chief Minister questioned the necessity of this move, noting that district offices already have competent professionals performing these functions. "When district offices already have a substantial number of competent professionals performing such functions, what necessitates the CEO's initiative to outsource the same work through an external agency for a full year?" her letter stated.
Banerjee emphasized that traditionally, field offices have always hired their own contractual data entry personnel as per requirement, and DEOs are fully empowered to undertake such hiring themselves if needed.
Concerns Over Private Polling Booths
The second major issue raised in the letter concerned the Election Commission's proposal to set up polling booths in private housing complexes. The CM described this initiative as "deeply problematic" and contrary to established electoral norms.
"Polling stations have always been—and must remain—located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality," Banerjee argued. She expressed concern that private buildings compromise fairness, violate established norms, and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public.
Allegations of Political Pressure
In her most serious allegation, the Chief Minister directly asked whether these decisions were taken "under pressure from a political party to advance its interests." She repeated the question "Why? Why? Why?" multiple times in her letter, emphasizing her concerns about the timing and manner of these decisions.
Urging the CEC to examine the issues with "utmost seriousness, impartiality and transparency," Banerjee stressed that the Election Commission's "dignity, neutrality and credibility" should always remain "above reproach and are not compromised under any circumstances."
This marks Banerjee's second communication with the CEC in less than a week, following her previous letter urging the halt of the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls in Bengal. The repeated interventions highlight the growing tensions between the state government and election authorities ahead of crucial electoral processes.
