Mamata Banerjee Writes Strong Letter to Election Commission, Questions ‘Disturbing’ Decisions Ahead of Bengal Elections
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written a strongly worded letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising alarm over what she termed as two “disturbing yet urgent” decisions linked to the upcoming elections in the state.
She questioned a centralised Request for Proposal (RfP) issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal for hiring outsourced data personnel, and objected to the proposal to set up polling stations inside private residential complexes.
Calling both moves “unprecedented and concerning,” Banerjee urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately in the interest of neutrality and fairness.
📌 Issue 1: Outsourcing 1,000 Data Entry Operators Raises ‘Doubts’, Says CM
Banerjee expressed strong objection to a recent RfP floated by the CEO’s office to outsource:
- 1,000 Data Entry Operators, and
- 50 Software Developers
for a period of one year.
She said district offices already have qualified staff, including contractual data workers and Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK) employees, who have traditionally handled election-related data work.
Mamata’s Concerns
She asked:
- Why is the CEO outsourcing work when DEOs already have adequate staff?
- Why centralise hiring instead of allowing districts to recruit as required?
- Is this being done under pressure from a political party?
- What changes in service or contract terms justify this move?
She said the timing and nature of the RfP “raise legitimate doubts” and could undermine trust in the election process.
📌 Issue 2: Polling Booths Inside Private Housing Complexes ‘Deeply Problematic’
Banerjee also opposed a proposal to create polling stations inside private residential complexes, calling it a departure from established norms.
Traditionally, polling booths are set up in:
- Government schools
- Government buildings
- Semi-government institutions
within a 2 km radius to ensure neutrality and equal access.
CM’s Concerns
She argued:
- Private buildings compromise fairness.
- They create a divide between privileged residents vs. general voters.
- They risk influencing or restricting access to polling facilities.
- Such a proposal could be politically motivated.
Calling the idea “deeply problematic,” she questioned, “Why is such a move being contemplated at all? Why? Why? Why?”
📌 ‘Implications Severe for Electoral Fairness’
Banerjee warned that both decisions could have far-reaching implications on the fairness of the electoral process.
In her closing note, she urged the Commission to act “with seriousness, impartiality and transparency” to preserve its credibility.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
