Kolkata: The Election Commission has set a fresh deadline for the West Bengal government to transfer six of its officials on poll duty after its earlier deadline of 2.30 pm ended on Tuesday. The EC has now asked the state government to transfer the six official by 10 am on Wednesday.
In a face-saving act, the state earlier on Tuesday had proposed the names of three alternative officers to Election Commission after its 2.30 pm deadline ended for the transfer of the six officials.
The government had earlier defied the EC orders with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even saying that she would go to jail but won't transfer the officials.
In a letter to the Election Commission, the state chief secretary on Tuesday wrote that while the transfer could lead to administrative problems, the state government proposed the three alternative names instead.
The EC had ordered the transfer of eight officials, including a District Magistrate and five Superintendents of Police - after reports of wrongdoing in polls.
According to sources, the EC has the power to cancel elections in the state if it does not comply with its orders.
Section 28 (A) of the Representation of People's Act says, "The returning officer, assistant returning officer, presiding officer, polling officer, and any other officer appointed under this Part, and any police officer designated for the time being by the State Government, for the conduct of any election shall be deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission for the period commencing on and from the date of the notification calling for such election and ending with the date of declaration of the results of such election and accordingly, such officers shall, during that period, be subject to the control, superintendence and discipline of the Election Commission."
The EC can thus seek transfer of these officers and if the state government does not comply, the EC can postpone or cancel elections in the state.
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