Entire polling team removed for abandoning station for lunch in West Midnapore

A shocking incident of gross negligence was reported from Booth Number 9 in the Pingla assembly constituency of West Midnapore on Thursday, where the entire polling team, including the Presiding Officer, abandoned the station during voting hours. The officials reportedly left the booth unattended to go and have lunch together. When security personnel stationed at the booth realised the station was empty, they attempted to contact the polling staff, only to be told that the team was outside and would return later.

Preliminary reports indicate that even the Sector Officer responsible for the area was not at the booth when the incident occurred. The complete abandonment of a polling station, which is a critical security and procedural violation, sparked immediate alarm among local election officials. The news reached the district administration, which acted swiftly to address the lapse in protocol and ensure that the voting process for citizens was not further compromised.

Special Observer Subrata Gupta took decisive action upon receiving the report. He ordered the immediate suspension of the Presiding Officer and all election workers attached to the booth. To prevent any disruption to the ongoing democratic process, he directed that the entire team be replaced by a reserve polling party, which took over duties at Booth Number 9 shortly thereafter to ensure the polling proceeded without further issues.

The District Election Officer has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the conduct of the polling team and the Sector Officer. The Election Commission has made it clear that leaving a polling booth unattended during the voting window is an intolerable breach of duty. This incident serves as a stern reminder of the strict oversight maintained by the Commission to ensure that polling stations remain functional and secure throughout the entire duration of the elections.