Jammu, July 31: In a decisive move to ensure transparency and impartiality in the electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued new directives concerning the transfer and posting of officers involved in the upcoming elections across various states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The ECI’s recent notification mandates that officers directly engaged in election duties must be transferred if they are currently stationed in their home districts or have served in a district for an extended period. Specifically, officers who have been stationed in a district for three years within the last four years, or those serving in their home districts, are required to be relocated. For Jammu and Kashmir, this directive applies to officers who have served three years by September 30, 2024.
The new policy impacts a range of officers involved in election duties, including District Election Officers (DEOs), Deputy DEOs, Returning Officers (ROs), and police officers such as Additional Director Generals (ADGs), Inspectors General (IGs), and Sub-Inspectors. Prohibition and Excise officers are also covered under this policy.
Exceptions to the transfer mandate include officers who are due to retire within six months from the specified dates and those on extension or re-employment. Additionally, transfer orders for officers engaged in the revision of electoral rolls will only be executed after the final publication of the rolls.
The ECI’s directive highlights its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. Chief Electoral Officers in the affected states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, are responsible for implementing these transfers and ensuring compliance with the new regulations. Compliance reports are required to be submitted by August 20, 2024.
This policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and reinforce the impartiality of election officials as India approaches a significant electoral year.
