The Election Commission has taken a firm stance on the transfer of officials engaged in the special intensive revision of the voter list in West Bengal. It said that the state government has issued transfer orders for three electoral roll observers without obtaining prior approval from the Commission. Expressing their dissent and opposing such a move, the Commission has sent a letter to the state government to revoke the order immediately.

According to the Commission, clear instructions were issued at the time of announcing the special intensive revision process that no official involved in this exercise could be transferred without its prior consent. In violation of this directive, transfer orders were issued for Ashwini Kumar Yadav, observer for North and South Dinajpur; Randhir Kumar, observer for North 24 Parganas and Kolkata North; and Smita Pandey, observer for West and East Bardhaman as well as Birbhum.

The letter further emphasised that these three officials are serving under the Commission on deemed deputation and are entrusted with responsibilities related to the special intensive revision process. Transferring them without the Commission’s approval, it stated, constitutes a direct breach of instructions.