Srinagar, Feb 24: The Election Commission of India has expressed concern over the disregard for instructions regarding the transfers and postings of officers ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Commission has directed the relevant offices in all states and union territories to strictly adhere to and comply with the transfer policy outlined by the Commission.
In a communication addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories, as well as the Chief Electoral Officers, Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal stated, “I am directed to refer to the Commission’s instruction of even number dated 21.12.2023 on the subject cited and to state that the said instruction clearly indicated that the Commission has been following a consistent policy that officers connected with the conduct of elections in an election-going State/UT are not posted in their home districts or places where they have served for a considerably long period.”
“It has come to the Commission’s notice that in certain cases officers are being transferred/posted in the adjacent districts within the same Parliamentary Constituency, thereby undermining the spirit of the transfer policy,” the communication, a copy of which lies with GNS, observes.
“Therefore, the Commission has directed that, except for the States/UTs that comprise up to two Parliamentary Constituencies, all states shall ensure that officers who are transferred out of the district are not posted within the same Parliamentary Constituency. This shall also be applicable to the transfers/postings that have already been given effect in pursuance of the Commission’s instruction. It is reiterated that the transfer policy of the commission must be adhered to in both letter and spirit.”
“The Commission has further directed that a report certifying the compliance of the earlier directions and including the above be furnished by the Chief Secretary and the DGP of the State concerned to the Commission latest by 3:00 PM on 26.02.2024,” the communication further reads.
