Election Commission suspends four Bengal govt officers for including fictitious voters in electoral rolls

Among four, two are Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and the other two are Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO).

The ECI has 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.

In its letter to the Chief Secretary, the ECI said it was informed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal about the inclusion of fictitious voters in the electoral roll in the two constituencies.

"I am to state that the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal has forwarded a report vide his mail dated 29.07.2025 informing about the wrongful addition of names in the electoral rolls by EROs and AEROs of AC No. 137 – Baruipur Purba (District – South 24 Parganas) and AC No. 206 – Moyna (District – Purba Medinipur)...," the ECI said in the letter to the Chief Secretary.

"The Commission has taken serious note of the grave lapses committed by the officers in view of the provisions quoted above and has decided that following action shall be taken against the officers with immediate effect...," the letter reads.

This comes days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the Booth Level Officers to ensure that no name is removed from the voter list through the controversial SIR, reminding them that they work under the state government.

In an administrative meeting in Bolpur, Birbhum, Mamata had claimed she was not informed that several West Bengal officers were flown to Delhi and other locations for training.

"I have not even been informed about the officers being flown to Delhi for training! DMs should have informed me or at least, CS (Chief Secretary). I would request BLOs to ensure no one's name is removed from the voter list. 

"Remember the Election Commission is in charge since the issuance of poll notification but the state government is in charge before and after the polls. Remember, you (BLOs) work under the state government. Do not harass anyone," said the Chief Minister.

Though SIR is not yet launched in West Bengal, several officers including BLOs have been taken to Delhi and other locations for training.