Kolkata, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it clear that it will not condone any form of hooliganism that threatens the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) in West Bengal. This declaration came from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during a meeting with a delegation from the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at ECI’s headquarters in New Delhi on Monday.

During the meeting, the CEC addressed questions from the Chief Minister, emphasizing that the rule of law must be upheld. Anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands will face strict consequences under the law, according to an insider from the electoral body.

The insider further revealed that the CEC raised concerns regarding the use of abusive and threatening language by Trinamool Congress lawmakers towards the Commission, particularly directed at the CEC himself, as well as threats toward electoral officials.

Additionally, the CEC highlighted incidents involving the vandalism of offices belonging to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), and Block Development Officers (BDOs).

"The CEC conveyed a strong message that there should be no pressure, obstruction, or interference from anyone concerning the officers tasked with the SIR exercise," the insider noted.

Moreover, CEC Gyanesh Kumar addressed critical administrative matters concerning the SIR process, particularly stressing the need for the timely release of honorariums to booth-level officers (BLOs). He pointed out that only Rs 7,000 of the Rs 18,000 due per BLO has been disbursed thus far.

Despite the Commission's request on January 20 for the appointment of returning officers for all 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, only 67 returning officers have been appointed from the expected ranks of sub-divisional magistrates, sub-divisional officers, and revenue divisional officers.

Furthermore, the CEC expressed his dissatisfaction over the unauthorized transfers of three bureaucrats involved in the SIR process, noting that the state government has not complied with the Commission's earlier directive to reverse these transfers.

Additionally, the CEO voiced concerns over the lack of compliance with the Commission's orders regarding disciplinary actions against two electoral registration officers and two assistant electoral registration officers involved in electoral rolls manipulation.

In a media interaction following the meeting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the CEC, labeling him as “arrogant,” though she did not articulate the specific points of contention from the discussion. She accused the ECI of targeting West Bengal during the SIR process with selective impositions; however, insiders from the Commission detailed the disagreements that emerged during the meeting.