Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reprimanded state officials over irregularities in SIR-related work and issued strict instructions to the police to ensure a violence-free and fair election process.
Kolkata : The Election Commission has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the handling of work related to the SIR process in the state, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar issuing a stern warning to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer and senior administrative officials. The Commission also delivered a strict five-point directive to the state police administration and even pulled up the central investigative agency Enforcement Directorate during the meeting.
The strong remarks were made during a full bench meeting held on Monday, where senior state election officials and administrative authorities were present. At the very beginning of the discussion, the Chief Election Commissioner made it clear that the work carried out so far did not properly follow the guidelines earlier issued by the Election Commission. He said that despite holding responsible positions, the officials concerned had failed to adhere to the prescribed guidelines, and no satisfactory explanation had been provided to the Commission so far.
Gyanesh Kumar also emphasised that the Election Commission is closely monitoring every step being taken in the state and that no official is beyond its scrutiny. If any negligence or lapse is proven, strict action will be taken against the concerned individuals. According to sources within the Commission, the tough stance has been adopted to ensure that the institution’s credibility and image are not tarnished due to the negligence of a few officials.
During the initial briefing itself, the Election Commission issued a strong message to the state police administration. The Commission said that several political parties have complained about alleged intimidation of voters and claimed that even after filing complaints with the police, no effective action has been taken. Such a situation, the Commission said, will not be tolerated.
The Commission also directed election observers to remain completely neutral and ensure fair play during the entire election process. It stressed that there should be no bias or favouritism in the conduct of elections. The Election Commission further made it clear that the elections must be conducted in a completely violence-free and inducement-free environment. If this objective is not achieved, the Commission warned that it would not spare any senior officials, including Superintendents of Police, Commissioners of Police or District Magistrates, and legal action could be initiated against them.
The Commission also underlined that post-poll violence would not be tolerated under any circumstances. During the meeting with the state police administration, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made a particularly sharp remark regarding the recovery of crude bombs in the state. He said, “Either the bombs will remain, or you will remain,” indicating that strict accountability would be enforced. He also warned that if voters in residential complexes or high-rise buildings are intimidated in any manner, those responsible would face strict consequences.
Several central agencies also came under the Commission’s scrutiny during the meeting. The Election Commission issued clear instructions that illegal cash, liquor and narcotics must not be allowed to enter the state during the election period, and agencies must remain vigilant. It warned that failure to follow these instructions would invite strict action.
Interestingly, the Enforcement Directorate itself faced sharp remarks from the Commission during the discussion. While raising a complaint against the state police, ED officials alleged that copies of FIRs are not shared with them by the state authorities. Responding to the complaint, the Election Commission stated firmly that the meeting was not the appropriate platform to discuss such issues and that the focus of the discussion should remain strictly on election-related matters.
Kolkata : The Election Commission has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the handling of work related to the SIR process in the state, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar issuing a stern warning to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer and senior administrative officials. The Commission also delivered a strict five-point directive to the state police administration and even pulled up the central investigative agency Enforcement Directorate during the meeting.
The strong remarks were made during a full bench meeting held on Monday, where senior state election officials and administrative authorities were present. At the very beginning of the discussion, the Chief Election Commissioner made it clear that the work carried out so far did not properly follow the guidelines earlier issued by the Election Commission. He said that despite holding responsible positions, the officials concerned had failed to adhere to the prescribed guidelines, and no satisfactory explanation had been provided to the Commission so far.
Gyanesh Kumar also emphasised that the Election Commission is closely monitoring every step being taken in the state and that no official is beyond its scrutiny. If any negligence or lapse is proven, strict action will be taken against the concerned individuals. According to sources within the Commission, the tough stance has been adopted to ensure that the institution’s credibility and image are not tarnished due to the negligence of a few officials.
During the initial briefing itself, the Election Commission issued a strong message to the state police administration. The Commission said that several political parties have complained about alleged intimidation of voters and claimed that even after filing complaints with the police, no effective action has been taken. Such a situation, the Commission said, will not be tolerated.
The Commission also directed election observers to remain completely neutral and ensure fair play during the entire election process. It stressed that there should be no bias or favouritism in the conduct of elections. The Election Commission further made it clear that the elections must be conducted in a completely violence-free and inducement-free environment. If this objective is not achieved, the Commission warned that it would not spare any senior officials, including Superintendents of Police, Commissioners of Police or District Magistrates, and legal action could be initiated against them.
The Commission also underlined that post-poll violence would not be tolerated under any circumstances. During the meeting with the state police administration, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made a particularly sharp remark regarding the recovery of crude bombs in the state. He said, “Either the bombs will remain, or you will remain,” indicating that strict accountability would be enforced. He also warned that if voters in residential complexes or high-rise buildings are intimidated in any manner, those responsible would face strict consequences.
Several central agencies also came under the Commission’s scrutiny during the meeting. The Election Commission issued clear instructions that illegal cash, liquor and narcotics must not be allowed to enter the state during the election period, and agencies must remain vigilant. It warned that failure to follow these instructions would invite strict action.
Interestingly, the Enforcement Directorate itself faced sharp remarks from the Commission during the discussion. While raising a complaint against the state police, ED officials alleged that copies of FIRs are not shared with them by the state authorities. Responding to the complaint, the Election Commission stated firmly that the meeting was not the appropriate platform to discuss such issues and that the focus of the discussion should remain strictly on election-related matters.
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