2 hrs ago
Election Commission Replaces Nandigram Police Chief Before Bypoll
The Election Commission changed the police officer in charge of Nandigram just before an election.
Ajay Kumar Mishra was replaced by Debasish Sarkar.
Some opposition parties had complained that Mishra was close to the ruling party.
The Commission ordered the change but did not publicly explain its reason.
Sarkar said he had heard about the change but had not yet received the formal order.
People were due to vote in Nandigram and Rejinagar on Tuesday.
Officials planned a large police and security presence at the polling places.
The votes were scheduled to be counted on October 9.
The Nandigram seat was open because Suvendu Adhikari chose to keep Bhabanipur instead.
The Election Commission ordered Ajay Kumar Mishra replaced as Nandigram police station’s inspector-in-charge on Monday, a day before polling.
Debasish Sarkar was appointed in his place; the Commission ordered an immediate transfer and requested a compliance report by Monday evening.
Opposition parties had complained that Mishra was close to the ruling party, while the Commission did not publicly state its reason for the change.
Nandigram and Rejinagar were due to vote on Tuesday, with counting scheduled for October 9.
Election authorities planned to deploy 71 Central Armed Police Forces companies and 15,119 state police personnel; officials identified 323 sensitive booths in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India replaced Nandigram inspector-in-charge Ajay Kumar Mishra with Debasish Sarkar after opposition parties complained about Mishra.
- What
- The Commission ordered an immediate change of the police station’s inspector-in-charge ahead of the Nandigram bypoll.
- Where
- Nandigram, in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district.
- When
- The order was issued on Monday, the day before Tuesday’s polling; counting was scheduled for October 9.
- Why
- Opposition parties alleged Mishra was close to the ruling party. The Commission did not publicly disclose its reason for the replacement.
Opposition Concerns
Election Commission Action
Reason for replacing Mishra
Opposition Concerns
Opposition parties alleged Mishra was close to the ruling party and complained to the Commission.
Election Commission Action
The Commission ordered his immediate replacement but did not publicly disclose its reason.
Confidence in the election process
Opposition Concerns
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said whether the polls would be free and fair would become clear only after voting. State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar questioned the Commission’s neutrality and raised concerns about the counting-centre location.
Election Commission Action
The Commission ordered the officer change and required a compliance report; the articles do not provide a response from the Commission to the broader criticism.
Key facts
- Outgoing officer
- Ajay Kumar Mishra
- Replacement
- Debasish Sarkar, who was described as serving in traffic and cybercrime police roles
- Poll date
- Tuesday in Nandigram and Rejinagar
- Vote counting
- October 9
- Central security deployment
- 71 CAPF companies: 37 in Nandigram and 34 in Rejinagar
- State police deployment
- 15,119 personnel across the two constituencies
- Sensitive booths
- 323 in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar
- Transfer deadline
- The Commission directed immediate implementation and requested a compliance report by Monday evening
Quotes
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Congress leader
“It is a good thing that the inspector-in-charge has been changed in Nandigram. But whether the Election Commission will actually conduct a free and fair election in Nandigram and Rejinagar tomorrow will only become clear after the polls take place.”
theprint.in
“I have just heard the news. I have not received the order copy yet. I was in Nandigram for traffic arrangements as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to come here to cast his vote tomorrow. That is when I learnt about it.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
NDTV
Sources
Nandigram police station officer in-charge replaced day before bypoll - Telegraph India
Bengal: Nandigram police station officer in-charge replaced day before bypoll
ECI replaces Nandigram inspector-in-charge a day before high-stakes bypoll
Nandigram Police Station Officer In-charge Replaced Day Before Bypoll
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