The Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha suspended Banaja Das, Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO)-cum-Block Development Officer (BDO) of Badasahi, for serious lapses and gross dereliction of duty ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CEO R.S. Gopalan issued a notification to the District Election Officer and Collector of Mayurbhanj, placing Das under suspension with immediate effect. The order cited repeated failures to attend crucial training programmes for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and supervisors on May 26 and 27, along with blatant disregard for official instructions.
Major charges against her included failing to attend the mandatory virtual training programme for EROs and AEROs held on May 23, despite prior intimation. She ignored the show-cause notice issued regarding her absence and availed casual leave without proper intimation. She remained absent during important training sessions, undermining preparations for the SIR process.
The suspension underscores the seriousness with which the Election Commission views lapses in electoral roll management. With the SIR process underway, officials stressed the importance of strict adherence to training and instructions to ensure accuracy and transparency in voter list revision.
