West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Challenges Election Commission's Staffing Decisions and Polling Booth Locations

Kolkata:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has addressed a formal letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEO) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday, requesting his "immediate intervention" regarding two concerning electoral matters.

The letter highlights the state CEO's instructions to district election officers prohibiting the engagement of contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for election-related work. Additionally, it addresses the Election Commission's proposal to establish polling booths within private residential complexes.

In her communication shared on X platform, the Chief Minister questioned whether these decisions were being implemented to benefit "a political party."

Banerjee wrote: "It has recently come to light that the CEO, West Bengal, has directed District Election Officers (DEOs) not to engage contractual data entry operators and Bangla Sahyata Kendra (BSK) staff for SIR-related or other election-related data work. Simultaneously, the CEO's office has floated a Request for Proposal (RfP) for hiring 1,000 Data Entry Operators and 50 Software Developers for a period of one year."

The Trinamool Congress leader expressed confusion regarding the necessity to outsource these functions through external agencies for an entire year when district offices already employ numerous "competent professionals" performing these duties.

She emphasized that "Traditionally, field offices have always hired their own contractual data entry personnel as per requirement. If there is an urgent need, DEOs are fully empowered to undertake such hiring themselves." The Chief Minister questioned why the CEO's office was assuming this responsibility on behalf of field offices.

"Is this exercise being undertaken at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests? The timing and manner of this RfP certainly raise legitimate doubts," Banerjee stated in her letter.

The Chief Minister also expressed strong objections to the reported proposal for establishing polling stations inside private residential complexes, arguing that such locations compromise electoral fairness, violate established norms, and create discriminatory distinctions between residents and the general public.

She pointed out that polling stations have traditionally been situated in government or semi-government institutions to ensure accessibility and neutrality.

Banerjee questioned: "Why is such a move being contemplated at all? Again, is this being done under pressure from a political party to advance their partisan interests?" She claimed such decisions would severely impact the fairness of the electoral process.

Asserting that the Election Commission's dignity and credibility must remain beyond reproach "under any circumstances," the Chief Minister urged: "I urge you to examine these issues with utmost seriousness, impartiality, and transparency."