Bengal govt complies with ECI's directive, suspends four officials over electoral roll discrepancies

However, no FIR has been filed yet.

Departmental proceedings have been initiated, The Hindu reported quoting an official at the state secretariat Nabanna.

The officials have been suspended more than a week after state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant appeared before the poll body in Delhi after the government refused to take action.

The government had snubbed the ECI's directive and had withdrawn an officer and a data entry operator from election-related duties and had launched a probe.

Among the four who have been ordered to be suspended, two are Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and the other two are Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO).

The ECI had also directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the four officers and a data entry operator.

The discrepancies have emerged from Baruipur Purba and Moyna assembly constituencies.

The letter was sent to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant.

Daring the ECI, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier said her government won't suspend the officers claiming the administration will be under the ECI only during the polls.

"In the name of the voter list, BJP wants to form a party list. Not a single name should be removed. Forget the party or political party, you must protect your own identity. Government officials are being threatened. Yesterday, two officers were sent notices and suspended. The election has not even been announced yet.

"Under which law can you send notices and suspend people? They are saying FIRs will be filed. This will not happen. I will not allow this. There is no need to be afraid," the Chief Minister said.