Election Commission Suspends 7 Officials In West Bengal For Alleged Misconduct Amid SIR
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended seven officials in West Bengal, directing the Chief Secretary to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.
Published : February 16, 2026 at 9:53 AM IST
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday said it has suspended seven officials of the West Bengal government for alleged misconduct and misuse of statutory powers in connection with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the state.
The poll panel has also directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary to initiate disciplinary proceedings against these officials. "Using its powers under Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act 1950, the Election Commission of India has placed under suspension seven officials in West Bengal with immediate effect for serious misconduct, dereliction of duty and misuse of statutory powers in connection with SIR," the ECI said.
The poll panel further said, "The Commission has further directed the Chief Secretary of West Bengal that disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated against these officials by their respective cadre controlling authorities immediately without any delay and the Commission be apprised in this regard."
According to the ECI, the names of the officials who have been suspended are AERO, Dr Sefaur Rahaman, Assistant Director of Agriculture Department, Samserganj Assembly Constituency, District Murshidabad; Nitish Das, Revenue Officer, Farakka and AERO for Farakka Assembly Constituency; AERO, Dalia Ray Choudhury, Women Development Office, Maynaguri Development Block and AERO, Maynaguri Assembly Constituency; Murshid Alam, ADA, Suti Block and AERO for Suti Assembly Constituency; Satyajit Das, Jt BDO and Joydeep Kundu, FEO, both AEROs of Canning Purbo Assembly Constituency, Debashis Biswas, Jt BDO and AERO Debra Assembly constituency.
It may be mentioned that the poll panel last week revised the schedule for the Special SIR of the electoral roll in West Bengal. The schedule was revised in compliance with the Supreme Court's directive.
In its letter addressed to the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, ECI Secretary Pawan Diwan said, "I am directed to refer to the Commission's letters dated 27.10.2025, 30.12.02025 ans 15.01.2026 related to Special Intensive Revision and forward herewith the Supreme Court's Order dated 09.02.2026 issued in WP(C) No. 1089/2025 and connected matters for the State of West Bengal, for strict compliance."
"In compliance with the Supreme Court's direction, the Commission has decided to revise the programme of ongoing SIR in the state of West Bengal," it said. The hearing of notices will be held till February 14, while the scrutiny of documents and disposal will be by February 21, as per the revised schedule.
According to the poll panel, the rationalisation of polling stations should be done by February 25. The final publication of the electoral roll will be on February 28. Last month, the ECI wrote to the West Bengal government in connection with the transfer of Electoral Roll Observers, stating that no official involved in the SIR process is transferred without its prior approval.
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