Derek O’Brien
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India today outrightly rejected Trinamool Congress’ MP Derek O’Brien’s demand to remove Sudeep Jain, Deputy Election Commissioner incharge of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021 and categorically stated that it had full faith in the integrity and fairness of Jain.
“Unfortunately, it is not for the first time that a concerted campaign is mounted against senior officers of the Commission on the eve of/during the process of elections,” the ECI said.In a statement, the ECI said the complaint in question was apparently given to Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, who sent a copy to ECI headquarters, and stated: “Commission would like to categorically state that all our Deputy Election Commissioners and other officials posted in the ECI headquarters and/or working in the field are discharging their duties strictly as per Constitution of India and the various extant rules regarding the conduct of elections.”
Referring to the news reports about O’Brien’s letter to the Commission, the ECI said the news item had been made of of allegations cited by TMC about two decisions taken by Jain during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when also he was Deputy Election Commissioner incharge at ECI of West Bengal Elections.
“It is clarified that both these decisions were taken by the Commission in the interest of holding free fair and peaceful elections and implemented by the district election machinery under supervision of DEC, Chief Electoral Officer, Police Nodal Officer and other concerned senior officials,” the ECI stated.
– global bihari bureau
