EC Orders Bengal to Act on 'Fake Voter' Scandal; Chief Secretary Delays, Citing State Approval
🖼️ Image credit: indianexpress.com
📂 Category: Politics
📰 Source: indianexpress.com
🗓️ Published: 2025-08-14T17:56:42+05:30
The Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government are in a standoff over the ECI's order to suspend four officers and a data entry operator, and file FIRs against them for allegedly registering fake voters.
The West Bengal Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, argued that he needs the state government's approval before taking action, citing forthcoming holidays.
This follows Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's public vow to protect state government employees.
The ECI's authority stems from Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which was clarified by a 2000 Supreme Court order.
Despite this order, the ECI has previously noted delays in state governments acting on their recommendations for disciplinary action against election officials.
The ECI has given Pant a seven-day deadline to comply with its order..