Mamata Flags Poll Process Concerns in Letter to CEC
CM questions data-entry outsourcing move and proposal for polling booths in private complexes.
- Mamata Banerjee seeks “immediate intervention” of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- Objects to CEO’s decision restricting DEO hiring of data-entry and BSK staff
- Questions RfP to outsource 1,000 DEOs and 50 software developers for a year
- Opposes proposal for polling booths inside private residential complexes
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 24th Nov: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, seeking his “immediate intervention” over two developments she believes could affect the neutrality of the electoral process.
In her letter, shared on X, Banerjee objected to the state CEO’s reported direction to district election officers not to engage contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for SIR and other election-related work. She highlighted that field offices have traditionally undertaken such hiring on their own and are fully empowered to do so as per requirement.
The Chief Minister questioned the rationale behind the CEO office’s new Request for Proposal (RfP) to hire 1,000 data-entry operators and 50 software developers for a year. She asked why outsourcing was necessary when district offices already have experienced contractual staff. “Is this exercise being undertaken at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests?” she wrote, adding that the timing of the RfP “raises legitimate doubts”.
Banerjee also objected to a reported proposal to set up polling stations inside private residential complexes. She said such locations violate established norms of using government or semi-government institutions to ensure neutrality, accessibility and fairness.
“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 asked, warning that the implications could severely impact the electoral process.
Stressing that the dignity and credibility of the Election Commission must remain beyond reproach, Banerjee urged the CEC to examine the issues with “utmost seriousness, impartiality and transparency.”
