The deadline is approaching for 15 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 10 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from West Bengal to travel to New Delhi for a training program organized by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The training, aimed at central poll observers for all states, is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in the national capital. Despite objections raised by the state government over certain officer selections, the ECI has maintained its choice of officers for the role.
At present, there is uncertainty regarding whether the West Bengal Secretariat will release these officers to attend the training in New Delhi. The ECI had previously informed West Bengal about the selection of these officers as central poll observers, triggering objections from the state government, particularly concerning the appointment of the state Home Secretary, Jagdish Prasad Meena. The state government had proposed alternative names, but as of now, there has been no communication from the ECI on the acceptance of these suggestions.
The Trinamool Congress criticized the ECI’s decision as unilateral, alleging a conspiracy influenced by the BJP. In response, the ECI placed the blame on the state government for the situation. According to sources from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, the ECI resorted to unilateral selection due to the state government’s prior disregard of requests to nominate officers for central poll observer roles.
