The Election Commission of India (ECI has instructed the West Bengal government to file FIRs against electoral officers involved in including fake voters in the state’s electoral rolls. The Commission has set a deadline of February 17 for this action. Despite earlier reminders, the state government has been slow to act, prompting the ECI to impose this deadline.
Two of the officers facing FIRs are from Baruipur East Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, while the other two are from Moyna Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district. Last year, the ECI had directed the suspension of these officers and called for FIRs to be filed against them. However, the state government only partially complied by suspending the officers but not registering FIRs.
In response to allegations of electoral roll tampering, the ECI reiterated its directive for FIRs against the officers in January. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had criticized this move, accusing the ECI of bias and stating that her government would not take action against its employees.
