Election Commission of India directs Bengal chief electoral officer to submit report on state’s law and order daily

Directive was issued well in advance of the Lok Sabha poll announcement because of a recent mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials at Sarberia village near Sandeshkhali

Saibal Gupta, TT, Calcutta, 11.01.24,: The Election Commission of India has directed the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Bengal to submit a comprehensive report on the state’s law and order daily.

The directive was issued well in advance of the Lok Sabha poll announcement because of a recent mob attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sarberia village near Sandeshkhali in South 24-Parganas district. The ED team had gone to raid the house of Trinamul Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan.

In a detailed communication, the commission has mandated the submission of reports for all districts, including Calcutta, starting from Wednesday. The focus of these reports will be on five key areas: law and order, misinformation, electoral roll, statements from political parties and critical news related to electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Armed with substantial information, including the video of the Sandeshkhali incident, the commission has instructed the CEO’s office to submit reports daily, even on Sundays and national holidays.

An official from the CEO’s office, speaking anonymously, said: “This is unprecedented because states typically provide the law and order report after the announcement of elections. The commission is leaving nothing to chance this time, diligently gathering information to prevent any security lapses. Districts have already commenced submitting reports and we sent the initial set to the commission today.”

According to insiders in the commission, CEO Ariz Aftab, currently in Delhi, is scheduled to hold extensive talks on law and order and other pertinent matters with the full bench of the commission. The full bench of the commission is presently in Andhra Pradesh and is likely to visit Bengal in the first week of February.

The ES is taking proactive measures this time to collect comprehensive information and ensure robust security in Bengal, said sources.