Election Commission pulls up Maharashtra Chief Secretary for not sending update on transfers

The Election Commission (EC) has pulled up Maharashtra’s chief secretary for failing to submit a compliance report regarding the mandatory transfer of officials by August 20.

In a letter dated July 31, the EC had asked the state chief secretary and DGP to transfer officials, as per norms followed in poll-bound states. The poll panel had asked for a compliance report on its directive from both officials by August 20.

The Maharashtra chief electoral officer, through a letter dated September 25, had informed the EC that the state’s Police Department had partially complied with its order, no such report had been received from the Chief Secretary’s office.

Despite several reminders sent to the Maharashtra chief secretary, the poll panel had not received any response from the state, the EC said in the letter issued on Friday. The Election Commission has asked the chief secretary and DGP to explain the circumstances why the compliance reports were not sent to it despite repeated reminders.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and two Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu are in Mumbai for two days to oversee the preparation for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The term of the state Assembly is ending on November 26 and the elections are due in late October or early November.