ECI directs States and UTs to implement transfer policy in both letter and spirit

The Election Commission of India has directed State governments to ensure that officers who are transferred out of the district after completing three years are not posted in another district within the same Parliamentary Constituency. In an official notification today, ECI has directed States and Union Territories to implement this policy in both letter and spirit.

The Election Commission informed that the States and Union Territories that comprise up to two Parliamentary Constituencies are exempted from this rule. The decision comes in view of the cases wherein officers are being transferred or posted in the adjacent districts within the same Parliamentary Constituency by the state governments. It informed that the rule applies retrospectively to transfers and postings that have already been implemented in accordance with the Commission’s prior instructions.

ECI has said that as per its policy, all the officers who were either posted in their home district or have completed three years at a place, have been directed to be transferred. It said that this rule includes officers who are in any way connected to the election work either directly or in a supervisory capacity.

ECI reiterated that there has been a zero-tolerance policy of the Commission against disturbing the level playing field in the elections.