Mokokchung, 24 February (MTNews): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a directive to state governments, urging them to enforce a transfer policy aimed at maintaining fairness in electoral processes. The directive comes amidst concerns regarding officers being transferred within the same Parliamentary Constituency, potentially disrupting the level playing field during elections.
The ECI emphasized that officers transferred out of a district after completing three years should not be reposted within the same Parliamentary Constituency. This move is intended to prevent any undue advantage or bias that could arise from officers being stationed in adjacent districts within the same constituency.
Plugging the loopholes in the existing instructions, 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.
Furthermore, the Commission has clarified that this directive applies retrospectively to transfers and postings that have already been carried out in line with prior instructions. It has been reiterated that the transfer policy must not be circumvented or misrepresented but strictly adhered to.
Under the ECI policy, officers who have either served in their home district or completed three years at a particular location, especially those involved in election-related duties, are to be transferred. The Commission maintains a zero-tolerance stance against any actions that could compromise the integrity of elections, as evidenced by recent transfers ordered during state assembly elections, including senior-level police officials.
