The Election Commission of India, following the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections schedule, has taken significant action by ordering the removal of several high-ranking officials across various states, as per reports from news agency PTI.
What actions has the Election Commission taken?
- Rajeev Kumar, the director general of police in West Bengal, has been ordered to be removed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Home secretaries in six states, namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, have also received directives for removal.
- Additionally, secretaries of the general administrative departments in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh are among those who have been removed.
- Under the leadership of CEC Rajiv Kumar, the ECI has also mandated the removal of Brihanmumbai municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, along with additional commissioners and deputy commissioners.
Why does the ECI take action against top officials?
The commission had instructed all state governments to transfer officers involved in election-related duties if they have served for three years or are stationed in their home districts, according to the report.
Despite the directives, Maharashtra reportedly failed to comply, particularly concerning several municipal commissioners, additional commissioners, and deputy municipal commissioners.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the state chief secretary, the commission directed the transfer of BMC officials, along with additional and deputy commissioners, with a Monday deadline of 6 pm for compliance.
Furthermore, the chief secretary was instructed to transfer all similarly positioned municipal commissioners and additional or deputy municipal commissioners across other corporations in Maharashtra.
‘Provide names for new DGP by 5 pm’: ECI
The Election Commission has demanded the submission of names for three officers by 5 pm to facilitate the selection of a new DGP for West Bengal.
In December, the West Bengal government appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rajeev Kumar, known to have close ties with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as the state DGP.
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of attempting to seize control of various organizations, including the Election Commission of India. He stated, “Today’s events reflect the BJP’s ongoing efforts to assert dominance and oversee the operations of such institutions, including the ECI.”
(With inputs from news agencies)
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