EC acts against 7 paramilitary personnel for attending iftar during poll duty
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Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) has taken disciplinary action against seven paramilitary personnel deployed on election duty in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, for allegedly attending an iftar party in violation of poll guidelines, officials said on Wednesday.
Two of the personnel have been placed under the custody of central forces, while the remaining five have been transferred out of the state. The incident reportedly occurred about a week ago during the Ramzan month, when the personnel are alleged to have attended an iftar gathering at Nimtita in Murshidabad.
“The Commission has taken serious note of the incident. Personnel deployed for election duty are not permitted to attend social functions or accept any form of hospitality from local individuals,” an EC official said.
The iftar event was reportedly hosted by the husband of a local panchayat pradhan. Photographs of the gathering went viral on social media, prompting the poll panel’s intervention. However, the personnel involved denied the allegations, claiming that the iftar was organised within a BSF camp and that local representatives had been invited there.
“A departmental inquiry was initiated after the matter came to our notice. Based on the findings, action has been taken in accordance with paramilitary force rules,” the official said.
The EC reiterated that central forces deployed for election duties must maintain strict neutrality and distance from local stakeholders. “They cannot participate in any social or community event in the area of deployment. Any deviation is treated seriously,” the official added.
Central forces had been deployed in the state well ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The Commission has implemented strict monitoring mechanisms, including GPS tracking and body cameras, to oversee their movements and activities. “The Commission is closely monitoring whether forces are being utilised properly, their route marches, and their interaction on the ground,” the official said.
The action comes amid heightened vigilance by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls in the state. Elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results scheduled to be declared on May 4.
With PTI inputs