The Election Commission of India has expressed concern over delays by two District Magistrates in West Bengal in filing FIRs against four electoral officers accused of voter enrollment manipulations. The Commission has sent reminders to the District Magistrates and District Electoral Officers of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts to expedite the FIR registration process. Among the officers facing allegations are the Electoral Registration Officer of Baruipur East Assembly constituency, Debottam Dutta Chowdhury, and the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, Tathagata Mandal.
Sources indicate that this is the third time the Commission has stressed the need to file FIRs against these officers. The initial directive from the Commission was issued in August last year, instructing the West Bengal government to suspend the officers and initiate FIRs against them. While the suspension was implemented, FIRs were not lodged. Following another instruction earlier this month, the ECI directed the District Magistrates and District Electoral Officers to take action.
Despite previous directives, the FIRs against the officers have not been registered yet. The Commission has reiterated its call for prompt action to address the issue. The accused officers are alleged to have tampered with the voters’ list.
