The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended three booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal for engaging in political campaigns for the ruling Trinamool Congress. The suspended officers, Tapan Kumar Saha, Avijit Dey, and Kumarjit Dutta from North 24 Parganas district, violated guidelines prohibiting electoral officers from participating in political activities.
Following unsatisfactory responses to show-cause notices, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the officers. Additionally, the ECI has directed the state administration to take action against five BLOs and file FIRs against them for their involvement in political activities.
In a related development, the ECI has replaced Bidhannagar City Police Commissioner Murli Dhar Sharma with Tripurari Atharva. Sharma was initially ordered to be sent to Tamil Nadu as a police observer but will now remain in his current position. The upcoming two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and April 29, with results to be announced on May 4.
