Assembly Elections: ECI issues fresh instructions regarding transfer of officers

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued fresh instructions regarding the transfer of officers in poll-bound States of Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ECI has asked Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and UT Jammu and Kashmir that Assembly elections are due this year and in this backdrop, they should transfer officers from their home districts and those officers who are staying for more than three years of duration at a particular posting.
“l am directed to state that the terms of existing State Legislative Assemblies of Haryana, Jharkhand & Maharashtra are up to 3rd November 2024, 5th January 2025 and 26th November 2024, respectively and election are due in the year 2024. Further, the election to the Legislative Assembly of UT of Jammu and Kashmir is also due in the near future,” the ECI has said in its order issued today.
The Commission has directed the CEOs and chief secretaries that officers directly 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 considerably long periods or posted in home districts.
“Hence, the Commission has decided that no officer connected directly with elections shall be allowed to continue in the present district (revenue district) of posting if she/he has completed three years in that district during the last four (4) years or would be completing 3 years on or before 30th September., 2024 for UT of Jammu and Kashmir, 31st October 2024 for Haryana, 30th November 2024 for Maharashtra and 31 December. 2024 for Jharkhand,” the ECI has said.