New Delhi, Jan. 29 -- The Election Commission (EC) has taken a firm stance on the transfer of officials engaged in the special intensive revision of the voter list in West Bengal. The Commission has asked the Bengal government to withdraw the transfer of three IAS officers deputed as electoral roll observers (EROs) for districts, as the transfer orders were issued without the poll panel's concurrence. The EC's move is aimed at ensuring that other EROs from the state cadre can discharge their duties without fear.

On November 28, the EC had appointed 12 IAS officers of the Bengal cadre as Electoral Roll Observers for 24 districts in the state, including Kolkata. However, the Bengal government subsequently transferred three of these officer...