ECI Orders Transfer of JK Officials Ahead of Assembly Polls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Jammu & Kashmir administration to transfer officials who are serving in their native districts or have completed three years in a particular district during the last four years. This move comes ahead of the much-awaited Assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir.
In a letter to Jammu & Kashmir’s chief secretary and chief electoral officer, the ECI stated that no officer connected directly with elections should continue in their present district of posting if they are serving in their home district or have completed three years in that district during the last four years.
The ECI also specified that officers who would be completing three years on or before September 30, 2024, should be transferred. The Commission has directed that transfer/posting of all officers covered under these instructions should be done by August 20, 2024.
The Chief Secretary and DGP have been asked to furnish compliance reports with details of action obtained from the concerned departments/offices of the State Government. This move aims to ensure free and fair elections in the region.
The election to the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is due in the near future. The Supreme Court had directed the ECI to conduct J&K assembly polls by September 30, 2024, on December 11, 2023.
Jammu & Kashmir has been under direct central rule since June 19, 2018, after the BJP withdrew support to the Mehbooba Mufti-led government, citing a “deteriorating” law and order situation in the erstwhile state.
The last assembly election in J&K was held in 2014. The upcoming polls are crucial for the region, and the ECI’s directions aim to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
The ECI’s move is seen as a significant step towards conducting free and fair elections in Jammu & Kashmir. The transfer of officials will help prevent any bias or influence in the electoral process, ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.
