The Election Commission on Wednesday asked West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty to submit a report within three days on the action taken against four state government officials of Baruipur-Purba and Moina Assembly seats accused of illegally adding names to voter lists.

In August last year, the EC had earlier recommended suspension of four officials – EROs Debottam Dutta Chowdhury and Biplab Sarkar, and Assistant EROs Tathagat Mondal and Sudipto Das – and initiation of criminal proceedings against them.

While the West Bengal government suspended the four officials only after the then chief secretary Manoj Pant was summoned by the EC in New Delhi, it did not register an FIR against them. A fifth contractual Data Entry Operator, Surojit Halder, was also suspended and removed.

In a letter to the chief secretary, EC Secretary Sujeet Kumar Misra wrote, “Since the disciplinary proceedings have been finalised without adherence to the prescribed procedure and without mandatory consultation with the Election Commission, the Commission does not accept such finalisation of disciplinary action. Accordingly, the same shall be treated as procedurally irregular and non est in the eyes of the Commission, warranting reconsideration strictly in accordance with the Commission’s instructions.”

The EC has asked the West Bengal government to send a written explanation “from the competent authority/officer responsible for the procedural lapse, clearly explaining the circumstances that led to non-compliance with the Commission’s instructions”.

“You are requested to furnish the complete disciplinary case records, including the articles of charge, written statements of defence, inquiry reports, findings of the inquiry authority, orders of the disciplinary authority, file noting and all other relevant records forming the basis of the disciplinary action taken, in respect of all four officials,” the letter added.

The EC has sought the report by 5 pm, January 24 (Saturday).