Suvendu Adhikari Raises Concern: In another episode of political confrontation ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that the Election Commission (EC) guidelines were flouted during the appointment of electoral officers across several districts of Bengal. Adhikari, a senior BJP leader and the face of the opposition in the state, submitted a detailed complaint to the Election Commission, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of manipulating administrative appointments for electoral advantage.
According to Adhikari, several officers appointed as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) are closely aligned with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and have a “clear political bias,” making them unfit to conduct fair election-related duties. The BJP leader claimed that these appointments directly violate the Election Commission’s rules, which mandate neutrality and transparency in the appointment of officers responsible for voter list revisions and booth-level operations.
Suvendu Adhikari Raises Concern: Allegations of Political Interference
In his submission, Suvendu Adhikari argued that the TMC government deliberately selected officers who have a record of political allegiance to the ruling party. He stated that this strategy would “ensure favorable conditions” during the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the electoral rolls in Bengal — a process critical in determining eligible voters and maintaining accuracy in the voter lists.
Adhikari pointed out that such politically motivated appointments could lead to voter roll manipulation, including the inclusion of fake names, deletion of genuine voters aligned with the opposition, and biased voter verification practices.
He emphasized that this violates Section 13B of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which empowers the Election Commission to appoint electoral officers independently and not under political influence.
“The sanctity of elections depends on impartial electoral machinery. By appointing politically inclined officers, the state government is undermining the democratic framework,” Adhikari said.
Demand for EC Intervention
Adhikari has urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to immediately intervene and replace the appointed officers with neutral administrative personnel. He also demanded that the EC conduct an independent audit of the current appointments, verifying their backgrounds and potential political links.
He further requested that the EC issue strict instructions to prevent state-level interference in the selection of electoral staff, citing that fair elections cannot be conducted under biased supervision.
BJP sources have confirmed that the party will also submit a follow-up representation to the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and, if necessary, approach the Calcutta High Court for judicial intervention.
State Government’s Response
Reacting to the allegations, senior TMC leaders dismissed Suvendu Adhikari’s claims as “political theatrics.”
A senior official from the West Bengal Secretariat (Nabanna) stated that the appointments were made following standard administrative procedures and within the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.
“All appointments have been made through due process. The opposition is trying to create unnecessary controversy to preempt their impending defeat in the polls,” said a TMC spokesperson.
The spokesperson further argued that electoral officers are appointed by district authorities under the guidance of the Election Commission, not by the state government directly, and therefore, allegations of political interference are baseless.
The EC’s Role and Previous Precedents
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has previously faced similar controversies in Bengal, particularly during the 2021 Assembly elections, when multiple officers were replaced following opposition complaints of bias. In 2021, the ECI removed several district magistrates and superintendents of police after verifying allegations of political favoritism.
In the current context, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is underway, with the EC setting deadlines for publication and verification processes. Adhikari’s complaint aims to ensure that these steps are conducted impartially, especially since voter list manipulation can significantly impact poll outcomes.
External observers note that the ECI may re-evaluate the appointments if credible evidence of bias or violation of its guidelines is found. The Commission’s reputation for maintaining fairness is critical, especially in politically sensitive states like West Bengal.
For reference, the ECI’s official handbook for electoral officers outlines strict eligibility criteria to ensure neutrality in appointments:
🔗 Election Commission of India – Handbook for Electoral Registration Officers
Political Reactions and Growing Tension
The BJP’s complaint has intensified political tensions in Bengal, where the battle between the TMC and BJP continues to dominate the political landscape.
While the TMC has accused the BJP of undermining administrative integrity, the opposition insists that Mamata Banerjee’s administration routinely uses bureaucratic machinery to influence elections.
Political analysts suggest that this controversy could become a key talking point in the months leading to the elections, as issues of voter suppression, electoral bias, and bureaucratic neutrality are likely to dominate campaign debates.
“Adhikari’s strategy appears to be an early move to place the Election Commission on alert. It reflects the BJP’s intent to challenge any potential irregularities before they affect voter confidence,” said political commentator Biswanath Chakraborty, a professor at Rabindra Bharati University.
Broader Context: Electoral Integrity in Bengal
West Bengal has long been at the center of debates over election fairness, with allegations of booth capturing, intimidation, and biased administration recurring in nearly every electoral cycle.
The BJP, since its emergence as the principal opposition force in the state, has repeatedly accused the TMC of leveraging state machinery — from police to block development officers — to influence the democratic process.
The EC, in its response during past elections, deployed central forces and introduced advanced monitoring systems to maintain neutrality. However, as Adhikari’s complaint suggests, the problem persists at the administrative level, particularly in appointments made during pre-election periods.
Independent civil society organizations like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have also highlighted the need for greater transparency in electoral roll management, recommending reforms that minimize local government influence in the appointment process.
🔗 ADR – Recommendations on Electoral Reforms
Potential EC Action and Next Steps
If the Election Commission deems the complaint credible, it could issue a directive to re-evaluate or suspend the contested appointments.
Additionally, the EC may deploy observers to oversee the ongoing electoral roll revision and conduct random audits of voter lists to ensure accuracy.
Legal experts suggest that any delay or inaction by the EC might lead to judicial scrutiny, as the courts have previously intervened in similar disputes to uphold constitutional fairness in electoral processes.
“The EC has a constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections. If appointments are found to breach neutrality standards, the Commission is empowered to act swiftly,” said Advocate Kaustav Basu, a constitutional lawyer based in Kolkata.
Conclusion
Suvendu Adhikari’s allegations have once again placed the Election Commission of India’s impartiality and efficiency under public scrutiny in West Bengal. As the political temperature rises ahead of the elections, both the ruling TMC and opposition BJP are likely to continue battling over issues of administrative bias, voter list transparency, and governance ethics.
While the Mamata Banerjee government dismisses the claims as politically motivated, the BJP’s complaint underscores growing mistrust in the electoral machinery. The Election Commission’s response in the coming days will determine not only the credibility of Bengal’s democratic process but also the confidence of millions of voters preparing to exercise their franchise.
For updates on the Election Commission’s official proceedings and orders, visit:
🔗 Election Commission of India Official Website
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