'Will implement order by August 21': Bengal CS Manoj Pant tells Election Commission in Delhi
West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Wednesday informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi that he will implement the order of suspending the four polling officers, accused of including fictitious names in the electoral rolls, by August 21, media reports said.
This comes after Pant was summoned by the EC to be physically present at its office in Delhi by 5 pm after the state government snubbed the poll body's order to suspend four accused officers.
According to ABP Ananda, the Chief Secretary has told the Election Commission that he will implement the order by August 21.
The ECI last week had asked the West Bengal government to suspend four state officers by 3 pm on Monday.
Snubbing the ECI's order, the government on Monday informed the poll body that it had withdrawn an officer and a data entry operator from election-related duties and also launched a probe.
In a letter to the ECI, the Chief Secretary said suspension would leave a "demoralising impact" on the "individuals" as well as "the broader team of officers engaged in electoral responsibilities and other administrative functions".
Among the four who have been ordered to be suspended, two are Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and the other two are Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO).
The ECI had also directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the four officers and a data entry operator.
The discrepancies have emerged from Baruipur Purba and Moyna assembly constituencies.
The letter was sent to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant.
Daring the ECI, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier said her government won't suspend the officers claiming the administration will be under the ECI only during the polls.
"In the name of the voter list, BJP wants to form a party list. Not a single name should be removed. Forget the party or political party, you must protect your own identity. Government officials are being threatened. Yesterday, two officers received notices and were suspended. The election has not even been announced yet.
"Under which law can you send notices and suspend people? They are saying FIRs will be filed. This will not happen. I will not allow this. There is no need to be afraid," the Chief Minister said.
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