New Delhi: Following the announcement of the schedule for the 18th Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued orders on Monday for the removal of Home Secretaries in six states: Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Furthermore, the Election Commission also took action to remove the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal. This decision was made due to the DGP being removed from active election management-related duties during the 2016 Assembly Election in the state and the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Additionally, the Secretary of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh has also been removed.
- The commission directed all State Governments to transfer officers involved in election-related work who have completed three years or are serving in their home districts.
- However, Maharashtra had not complied with the directions regarding certain Municipal Commissioners and some Additional/Deputy Municipal Commissioners.
- Expressing displeasure to the Chief Secretary, the Commission ordered the transfer of BMC and additional/Deputy commissioners with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Monday.
- The Chief Secretary was further instructed to transfer all similarly placed Municipal Commissioners and Additional/Deputy Municipal Commissioners of other Corporations in Maharashtra.
- This action is part of the Commission’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, emphasized by CEC Rajiv Kumar during the Press Conference for the announcement of the General Elections 2024 schedule.
- The Commission meeting chaired by Shri Rajiv Kumar, with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, was held on Monday at noon.
- Officials removed in these seven states were found to be holding dual charges in the office of the Chief Minister, which could compromise impartiality and neutrality during the electoral process, especially concerning law and order, and deployment of forces.
- With these steps, the Election Commission of India has demonstrated its commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.
- Through these measures, the Commission ensures that all stakeholders maintain the highest standards of integrity and impartiality, thereby safeguarding a level playing field throughout the entire electoral process.
