New Delhi, August 2
In a significant order following recent transfer of police officials in Bihar, the Election Commission today directed the state government not to transfer District Collectors and election-related officials without its consent.The commission, however, did not make any comments on the recent transfer of 17 Superintendents of Police.
“No District Election Officer (District Collector) and Deputy Collector in charge of elections, Electoral Registration Officer and Assistant Electoral Registration Officer involved in election-related work should now be transferred without the consent of the Commission”, the EC said in a communication to the state government.
It said the commission had taken the decision as District Collectors were engaged in the important electoral activity of overseeing the Electors Photo Identity Card programme.
Taking note of news reports of transfer of SPs, including those of Siwan and Patna, the commission asked the state government to strictly follow its earlier directives of expediting the execution of non-bailable warrants that were pending in the state in large numbers and conducting special search operations to unearth illegal arms.
