Hearing by 11 ‘illegally’ appointed AEROs in Basirhat AC by to be overruled: Election Commission

Kolkata: Election Commission of India has said revision of voters’ list under the supervision of 11 ‘illegally’ appointed officials at Basirhat in North 24 Parganas would be overruled after an on-the-ground probe against gross lapses. ECI would appoint new officials to ensure hearings are conducted to create an error-proof and up-to-date list of electors, it said.

A detailed probe report to ECI over “serious lapses” by Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) – or the BDO of Basirhat-II – said he had allegedly appointed 11 officials as “Additional AEROs” and conducted hearings.

ET reported that on January 25, ECI has directed the chief secretary to suspend AERO Sumitra Pratim Pradhan. ECI had directed Pradhan be “placed under suspension with immediate effect” and “removed from any electoral roll revision-related work”, and disciplinary proceedings be initiated against him.

Following the probe, ECI has said the work done by these 11 officials will be considered “null and void”, and the “hearings and any other statutory work undertaken by these officials shall now be conducted afresh by following the due statutory process”.

Following the field enquiry, a report was submitted by ECI principal secretary BC Patra on January 22, associated with WB-CEO’s office during the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. Pradhan had issued “suo moto” orders, which according to rule is “violation of the statutory provisions”.