‘Fake’ voters: EC orders to suspend, book 5 officials, but Bengal govt takes just two off poll duty

The ECI had on August 5 directed the suspension of the five officials in connection with alleged fraudulent registration of 127 voters using forged documents in the Baruipur Purba and Moyna Assembly constituencies.

In the letter to the ECI, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant wrote, “As a first step, the services of Shri Sudipta Das, PAAO, Tamluk Block and AERO, 206-Moyna AC and Shri Surojit Halder, the Data Entry Operator, 137 Baruipur Purba AC have been withdrawn from electoral revision and election related duties. Further action taken report will be submitted post completion of enquiry.”

Defending the officials, the Chief Secretary said, “In light of the above, it is submitted that initiating proceedings before a detailed enquiry, against these officers who have consistently demonstrated sincerity and competence may be a disproportionately harsh measure. Such an action could have a demoralizing impact not only on the individuals concerned but also on the broader team of officers engaged in electoral responsibilities and other administrative functions.”

In its letter, the ECI had on Friday sent a reminder to Chief Secretary Pant seeking action against the five officials, setting the August 11 (3 pm) deadline to execute its order and submit an action-taken compliance report.

“Directions have been issued for immediate suspension of Shri Debottam Dutta Choudhury, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for the 137-Baruipur Purba Assembly Constituency; Shri Tathagata Mondal, the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) for the 137-Baruipur Purba Assembly Constituency; Shri Biplab Sarkar, ERO for the 206-Moyna Assembly Constituency; and Shri Sudipta Das, AERO for the 206-Moyna Assembly Constituency. Disciplinary proceedings will also be initiated against the individuals mentioned above. Additionally, the Commission has directed that FIRs be filed against these errant EROs and AEROs, as well as against the casual Data Entry Operator, Shri Surojit Halder, involved in the matter,” the ECI letter read.

The letter, signed by ECI Secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra, further mentioned, “No compliance report detailing the specific actions taken against each of the officers has been received by the Commission thus far. The Commission has instructed that necessary action against the mentioned officers be taken immediately, and a compliance report must be submitted to the Commission by 3:00 PM on August 11, 2025.”

The letter was sent a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly announced that she would not execute the suspension order and that she would protect the employees of the state government at any cost.

State administration sources said the Chief Secretary wrote the letter before 3 pm as per deadline fixed by the ECI.

Pant wrote, “I am directed to refer to the Election Commission of India letter No. 30/WB/ES-11/2025 dated 5th August, 2025 and 8th August, 2025 in connection with the captioned subject. Pursuant to your letter, an internal enquiry into the issue as well as a comprehensive review of the existing processes and procedures governing the conduct of the said exercise has been undertaken.”

He added, “You will kindly appreciate that district level officials and field officers have a wide range of responsibilities and functions assigned to them by their appointing authorities, in addition to the electoral roll revision works and other election related works which are time bound tasks. Therefore, there are occasions where certain functions are delegated to subordinate staff in good faith.”