Poll official suspended in West Bengal after being caught assembling BJP flags
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A video showing a poll official helping to assemble BJP flags led to his suspension, followed by the action taken by the Election Commission of India over the “serious violation” of the Representation of the People Act for his alleged proximity to a political party in West Bengal’s Panihati Assembly constituency.
The action was initiated against Atanu Chakraborty, functioning as a sector assistant, after footage surfaced purportedly depicting him participating in the assembly of BJP flags, and the returning officer, citing the impermissible association of an election functionary with campaign-related activity, concluded that such conduct undermined electoral neutrality while contravening statutory obligations.
The returning officer declared that Chakraborty’s alleged involvement represented a serious infringement of the Representation of the People Act, and, consequently, he was relieved of his election responsibilities while being served with a notice requiring him to furnish an explanation within twenty-four hours as to why disciplinary proceedings should not be instituted.
The order additionally restrained him from leaving headquarters without prior authorisation, and he was instructed to remain accessible for inquiry, thereby ensuring procedural continuity and administrative oversight.
Chakraborty, who is also reported to be serving as a primary school assistant teacher, has thus been subjected to institutional scrutiny, and officials indicated that further action would depend upon his explanation and the findings emerging from the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the political contest in the Panihati constituency has acquired emotive undertones, as the BJP has fielded the mother of the doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024, while the ruling All India Trinamool Congress has nominated Tirthankar Ghosh, son of veteran leader Nirmal Ghosh, who has represented the constituency since 2011.
Polling in West Bengal is scheduled to be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, whereas counting will take place on May 4, with administrative preparedness intensifying amid heightened vigilance to ensure procedural propriety and electoral impartiality.
