Should DMs in Bengal Ignore Poll-Related Verbal Instructions from the State Government?
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Synopsis
In a bold move, Suvendu Adhikari calls on district magistrates in West Bengal to disregard verbal instructions from state authorities regarding elections. This controversial statement raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Bengal amidst allegations of state government overreach.
Key Takeaways
- Suvendu Adhikari's call for DMs to ignore verbal instructions reflects growing tensions over electoral integrity.
- District magistrates' authority is rooted in the Chief Election Commission.
- Allegations of state government overreach could impact upcoming elections.
- Need for strict adherence to ECI guidelines emphasized.
- Calls for investigation into potential violations of electoral norms.
Kolkata, July 30 (NationPress) The opposition leader in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, urged district magistrates in West Bengal on Wednesday to disregard any verbal instructions regarding elections from their superiors in the state government.
Adhikari emphasized that the district magistrates, serving as district election officers (DEOs), operate under the jurisdiction of the Chief Election Commissioner and the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal. Therefore, verbal orders from higher officials or political figures in the state administration should not be considered obligatory.
He further asserted that such verbal directives should be ignored, given that reports have emerged indicating the state government's infringement of Election Commission of India (ECI) regulations.
“BLOs, appointed in accordance with ECI standards and posted on the relevant portal, can only be modified following ECI protocols. In urgent situations, proposals with valid reasons and same-category substitutions must be forwarded to the CEO’s Office. EROs and DEOs are required to adhere strictly to these regulations without arbitrary decisions, as non-compliance could lead to serious repercussions,” Adhikari stated.
In parallel, the opposition leader has called upon the ECI to launch an immediate investigation into this significant overreach by the West Bengal government.
“If culpability is established, the ECI should take stern measures against the involved individual in accordance with constitutional guidelines. The ECI must reinforce its authority to ensure that no unlawful interference tarnishes elections in Bengal,” he remarked.
Adhikari also claimed that the governmental overreach concerning electoral issues has escalated to alarming proportions.
“Following Mamata Banerjee’s meddling in the BLO training, her 'yes-man' Chief Secretary Manoj Pant has now instructed district magistrates to replace 1,000 BLOs who were trained in Delhi,” he alleged.
On Tuesday, the opposition leader sent a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, urging him to take suo motu action against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly attempting unauthorized interference in the electoral process through “intimidation and maliciously influencing the booth-level officers (BLOs)” in the state.
In his correspondence, the LoP mentioned an administrative meeting led by the Chief Minister in Birbhum district on Monday, where she accused the ECI of commencing training for the booth-level officers (BLOs) in the state without prior notification to the state government.
During her speech, the Chief Minister subtly reminded that those BLOs are ultimately state government employees.
Point of View
This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between state authority and electoral integrity. Suvendu Adhikari's call for district magistrates to disregard verbal instructions from state officials highlights concerns over electoral fairness and the potential for governmental overreach. The Election Commission's response will be critical in maintaining trust in the electoral process.
NationPress
31/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Suvendu Adhikari advise district magistrates?
Suvendu Adhikari advised district magistrates in West Bengal to ignore any election-related verbal instructions from higher authorities in the state government.
Why did Adhikari make this statement?
He stated that district magistrates, as district election officers, should follow the authority of the Chief Election Commissioner and not be bound by verbal orders from political figures.
What concerns did Adhikari raise about the state government?
He expressed concerns about the state government violating Election Commission regulations and interfering with the electoral process.
What action did Adhikari request from the Election Commission?
He requested the Election Commission to investigate the West Bengal government's alleged overreach and take appropriate action if wrongdoing is found.
What implications could this have for the electoral process in Bengal?
This situation raises significant questions about electoral integrity and the potential for political interference in the upcoming elections.
