The Election Commission of India (ECI) has called a five-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for a meeting at its headquarters in New Delhi on Friday, following a fresh exchange of communications between the party and the poll panel. The meeting is scheduled for 11 am, with the ECI permitting up to four additional members to accompany the authorised representative.
This development comes after TMC MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the Commission on November 23 seeking time for discussions, weeks after the ECI had proposed creating a more structured communication mechanism with political parties. The Commission, in a statement, reaffirmed that it remains committed to holding regular consultations with all political groups.
The ECI has asked the TMC delegation to submit the names of all attending members and details of their vehicles to the Commission’s designated email address before the meeting.
The sudden scheduling of the meeting has gained political significance as it follows two consecutive letters sent by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the Chief Election Commissioner. In her communications, Mamata raised sharp objections to two recent decisions of the state Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office.
The two issues flagged are a tender issued to hire 1,000 data entry operators and 50 software developers from outside and a proposal to set up polling stations inside private housing complexes.
Mamata questioned why the CEO’s office was suddenly seeking to recruit such a large number of workers for year-round engagement. She argued that data entry-related tasks have always been efficiently managed by district administrations using temporary staff, including BSK workers and contractual operators.
She asked why does the CEO’s office suddenly want to take over the responsibility that was handled by district-level offices so far?
Political observers note that the ECI’s decision to summon the TMC delegation immediately after receiving the Chief Minister’s letters signals the seriousness with which the Commission is treating the concerns. The issue of polling booths inside private housing complexes has also triggered debate, with questions being raised about neutrality, and transparency.
Also read: 'Touch Bengal, I’ll shake nation’: Mamata to BJP over SIR row
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