The Central Election Commission (CEO) has put its foot down yet again on the transfer and posting of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs).
The commission is in no mood to relent on the government’s proposals on the transfer of such officers who hold a pivotal position in the conduct of the Assembly elections.
Referring to its decision to replace Kottayam District Collector U.V. Jose with Bhandari Swagat Ranvir Chand and also regarding the transfer of Superintendents of Police (SPs), commission sources told The Hindu that once an election was declared, District Collectors officiated as District Election Officers.
Similarly, police officers responsible for regulating law and order too come under the ambit of the commission. Mr. Jose was replaced owing to his alleged lapse in taking up the pre-poll arrangements as stipulated by the commission.
Hence, the commission wields the authority to transfer and post all such officers. All of them are under constant scrutiny of the commission and the way they discharge the duties assigned to them would be closely monitored.
This includes their preparedness in completing the tasks assigned to them within the stipulated time, whether they are functioning in a dispassionate manner and also whether they have any affinity for any political party or leaders.
Reports about the officers on election duty are being prepared on a daily basis and the CEC is constantly reviewing the situation through video conferencing too. Any lapse on any of these counts will be seriously taken up and shifted as per the diktat of the commission.
On deciding to shift an officer, the commission would ask the government to furnish a panel of officers in the same rank and the choice will be made from the panel.
The commission reserves the right to reject the entire panel and can also seek a fresh list too. Such steps were being taken to ensure a free and fair poll, the sources said.
