The Election Commission of India (ECI) has summoned West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to its headquarters in New Delhi on August 13, 2025, to explain the state government's "inaction" regarding officials allegedly involved in irregularities in voter list revisions. This follows the ECI's earlier directive on August 5, 2025, instructing the West Bengal government to suspend four officials and a data entry operator for alleged misconduct in registering names in voter lists. The ECI also ordered the registration of FIRs against these individuals, who were stationed in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.
The ECI's directive specifically named Debotttam Dutta Choudhury and Tathagata Mondal, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and Additional Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) of Baruipur Purba Assembly constituency, respectively, as well as Biplab Sarkar, Sudipta Das, and the AERO of Moyna Assembly constituency. Sudipta Das was working as panchayat accounts and audit officer at Tamluk block, while Surojit Halder was working as a casual data entry operator. The poll panel accused these officers of "grave lapses" and "failing to perform their duties" by compromising data security and sharing their login credentials to the ER database with unauthorized individuals.
After receiving no response to its initial order, the ECI issued a 72-hour deadline to Chief Secretary Pant on August 8, 2025, demanding the implementation of the suspension order and submission of a compliance report by 3 p.m. on August 11, 2025. However, the state government, while removing two of the personnel (Sudipta Das and Surojit Halder) from their election-related postings, did not suspend the officials or register FIRs against them.
In a letter to the ECI, Chief Secretary Pant explained that initiating disciplinary measures against officers who have "consistently demonstrated sincerity and competence" would be "disproportionately harsh" and could have a "demoralising impact" on the officers' community in Bengal. He added that the state government had initiated an internal inquiry into the matter. Pant also clarified that certain functions are delegated to subordinate staff in good faith.
The ECI's summons to the Chief Secretary indicates a deadlock between the state administration and the election body. Sources at the State Secretariat indicated that the Chief Secretary would travel to Delhi on August 13, 2025, to appear before the ECI.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced her support for the government employees involved in voter list revision, assuring them that the state government stands by them. During an administrative meeting, she stated, "Don't be afraid, the state government is with you. Work honestly, no one can do anything". She also emphasized the need to maintain confidence among the staff and accused the Assam government of creating fear among residents in the name of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
This situation is seen as a fresh point of contention between the Mamata Banerjee government and the ECI. The opposition is reportedly "up in arms" against the state government's stance.
