EC Suspends AERO in Bengal Over Voter List Irregularities

• The Election Commission (EC) suspended an Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) in West Bengal's Basirhat North Assembly constituency.
• The suspension is due to alleged serious irregularities in the voter list revision hearing process.
• Sumitra Pratim Pradhan, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Basirhat–II block, was removed from all election-related duties.
• The officer allegedly appointed 11 additional AEROs and conducted hearings without legal authority, violating Section 13C of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• The EC has directed the state government to initiate disciplinary proceedings and report progress within 48 hours, following a complaint by Suvendu Adhikari.

Why It Matters: EC suspended a Bengal AERO for voter list irregularities, emphasizing strict adherence to electoral laws.