Election Commission orders suspension of two Pilibhit officers

The Election Commission of India has directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to suspend two electoral registration officers in Pilibhit and add a legal provision to an existing case over alleged voter-roll irregularities. The orders were set out in a letter dated October 31 and concern officers Mayank Goswami and Hemant Chaudhary. The Commission directed that the two officers be suspended immediately and that their chargesheets be sent for its review. They cannot be reinstated without the Commission’s prior approval. It also directed authorities to add Section 198 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to the existing FIR against Goswami, Chaudhary and computer operator Anil Kumar. The cases are to be pursued rigorously, according to the Commission’s directions. The Commission requested a report on scrutiny of electoral rolls in all four Assembly constituencies in Pilibhit district, with comments from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, within one week of the letter. It also sought, within three days, an action-taken report concerning the computer operator and details of the roles played by five Assistant Electoral Registration Officers in the Pilibhit constituency. The...