Citing poll code, commission stays appointment of Army officer as SSP

Citing the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission on Monday put on hold the appointment of an Army officer as the Senior Superintendent of Police (Training and Special Operations) in the Union Territory by the J&K Home Department. The EC has asked the UT Chief Secretary to explain why the order was issued without taking prior permission of the Commission.

Last week, Col Vikrant Prasher from Para, High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg, was posted for a period of two years on a deputation basis in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a letter to the UT Chief Secretary today, the EC put the order in abeyance with immediate effect. “Without going at this stage into the rationale, process and urgency of posting an Army officer as SSP in the civil side during the period of operation of MCC, the commission hereby directs the order shall be kept in abeyance with immediate effect,” the EC said.

If the order has already been implemented, the status quo prior to its issuance must be restored immediately, the EC stated.

The J&K chief secretary has been instructed to submit a compliance report by 11 am on Tuesday, along with a detailed explanation on the rationale for issuing the order without obtaining the required clearance from the Election Commission.