The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal of “systematic pattern of violence and threats” against election officials, while also alleging
police of unwillingness to act against such incidents.
After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in the Supreme Court and spoke against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the poll body filed a counter in the apex court, alleging numerous instances of violence, intimidation and obstruction against election officials engaged in the SIR process.
Sujeet Kumar Mishra, Secretary, ECI, alleged a “pervasive reluctance” among local police authorities to register FIRs in response to grievances articulated by BLOs, and many of them were only filed after the direct intervention of the DEO (District Election Officer). While other states promptly adhered to ECI directives regarding SIR, West Bengal willfully neglected to do so.
Bengal CEO’s Office Gheraoed
In its response, the ECI claimed that protesters claiming to be BLOs attempted forceful entry into the office of Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), broke the police blockade and vandalised the office. It said officers were prevented from entering and leaving the office complex as the office was also gheraoed, resulting in significant impediments to the execution of duties by officers.
The ECI said it directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to ensure that no untoward incident occurs again. Despite explicit directives to the police, the protesters were not removed and remained in the office premises for 28 hours. It further said that the CEO was the sole electoral official in the country who had been accorded ‘Y+’ category security.
It also detailed a disturbing pattern of conduct “previously unseen during electoral roll revision exercises” in Bengal, including a statement by a cabinet minister that he will “break the legs of Election Commission”. The poll agency observed that groups of women, allegedly mobilised by political operatives, obstructed the activities of BLOs and EROs.
‘Provocative’ Statements Of Mamata Banerjee, Police Inaction
The Election Commission also observed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “persistently delivered a series of public addresses that are inherently provocative, thereby engendering an atmosphere of intimidation among the election officials tasked with the separation and revision of the electoral roll.”
It also accused the CM of engaging in fear-mongering, disseminating misleading and erroneous information about the SIR process and threatening election officials, which prompted several observers to withdraw from their SIR responsibilities due to fear of violent assaults.
It also said BLOs are facing overwhelming stress due to systematic police indifference and the failure to register FIRs, interference by Booth Level Agents of political factions. A roll observer reported that women’s mob in Debipur shouting “BJP dalal” slogans, chasing team with broomsticks after the CM’s “kitchen tools” call.
The affidavit blamed “inadequacies of state machinery” and “prevailing climate of political interference” for a “singular and alarming breakdown” in West Bengal SIR. The Commission warned that political rhetoric from TMC leaders vitiates conditions for a “free, fair and fearless” revision process in West Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee has previously characterised the exercise as a vehicle for “unspeakable harassment”, alleging it has resulted in “as many as 140 deaths” and violates the Representation of the People Act. In a series of letters addressed to the CEC, she has sounded an alarm on what she describes as “institutional overreach” and a “dangerous erosion of trust” in democratic processes.
