The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant stride towards ensuring the integrity and fairness of electoral processes by issuing orders for the removal of several top officials in various states. This decisive move underscores the Commission’s commitment to upholding the principles of free, fair, and transparent elections.
In a recent development, the ECI has directed the removal of Home Secretaries in six states, namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Additionally, Secretaries of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have also been relieved of their duties.
The directive from the Commission extends to all state governments, urging them to transfer officers involved in election-related work who have completed three years or are stationed in their home districts. While most states complied with these instructions, Maharashtra faced some discrepancies in the transfer process concerning Municipal Commissioners and Additional/Deputy Municipal Commissioners.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, the Commission instructed the Chief Secretary to ensure the immediate transfer of concerned officials and demanded compliance by 6 p.m. the same day. Furthermore, similar action was mandated for Municipal Commissioners and Additional/Deputy Municipal Commissioners across other corporations in Maharashtra.
The rationale behind these removals lies in the Commission’s determination to maintain a level playing field and uphold the impartiality of the electoral process. It was observed that officials holding dual charges, particularly those serving in the offices of Chief Ministers, may compromise the neutrality required for fair elections, especially in matters related to law and order and the deployment of security forces.
Chaired by Shri Rajiv Kumar, the Commission meeting, which included Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, reiterated the importance of these measures. CEC Rajiv Kumar has consistently emphasized the need for integrity and neutrality in electoral processes, as reiterated during the recent Press Conference for the announcement of Schedule for General Elections 2024.
Moreover, the Election Commission also took action to remove the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal. This decision stemmed from previous instances where the DGP was relieved of active election management duties during the 2016 Assembly Elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
By implementing these measures, the Election Commission of India reaffirms its dedication to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections. These actions aim to ensure that all stakeholders adhere to the highest standards of integrity and impartiality, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the entire electoral process.
