SIR in Bengal, Feb. 16 -- The Election Commission has suspended seven officials in West Bengal with immediate effect for serious misconduct, dereliction of duty and misuse of statutory powers in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The action has been taken using its powers under the electoral law,

All the suspended officers were working as assistant electoral registration officers for the EC.

Booth-level and electoral registration officers and their assistants are state government employees who work on deputation for the EC to update the voters' list and help hold elections.

Quoting orders, EC officials said the poll authority has directed the state Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakravarty, to initiate disciplina...