New Delhi : Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in five states and one Union Territory, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued detailed instructions regarding the transfer and posting of officials directly involved in the conduct of elections. The guidelines apply to Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, where elections are scheduled to be held later this year.
The Commission has formally communicated these directions through letters addressed to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and Chief Secretaries of the concerned states and the Union Territory. The letters were subsequently shared with the media.
Officials Linked to Elections Must Be Transferred
According to the Election Commission, it is following a consistent policy to ensure neutrality and fairness in the electoral process. Under this policy, officials directly connected with election duties will not be allowed to remain posted in their home districts or in districts where they have served for extended periods.
The Commission has decided that any official associated with election work must be transferred if:
- They are currently posted in their home district, or
- They have completed three years of service in the same revenue district during the last four years, or
- They are due to complete three years of service by May 31 (for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal) or by June 30 (for Puducherry).
Promotion Within District to Be Counted
The Commission clarified that while calculating the three-year tenure, promotions within the same district will be included. However, service rendered at the state headquarters during the last four years—even if located in the same revenue district—will not be counted toward the three-year limit.
Officials transferred to meet these conditions may be posted at the state headquarters, even if it falls within the same revenue district.
Restrictions on Reposting in Previous Election Districts
The ECI has also instructed state governments to ensure that transferred officials are not reposted in their home districts. Additionally, no District Election Officer (DEO), Returning Officer (RO), Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), Police Inspector, Sub-Inspector, or higher-ranked officer should be posted in a district where they were deployed during the previous Assembly elections or any subsequent by-elections.
Scope for Exemptions in Special Cases
If any difficulty arises in implementing these instructions, state governments may seek exemptions by submitting a proposal through the Chief Electoral Officer, along with valid reasons. The Election Commission will review such cases and issue directions if deemed necessary.
Voter List Revision Staff to Remain Until Completion
The Commission has further clarified that officials and staff currently engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls—including in Assam—should not be transferred until the final publication of voter lists. Any transfer required under exceptional circumstances will need prior approval from the Election Commission.
Mandatory Consultation with CEOs
The ECI emphasized that whenever replacements are posted against transferred officials, the Chief Electoral Officer must be consulted. Copies of all transfer orders issued under these guidelines must be forwarded to the respective CEOs without fail.
The Election Commission said these measures are aimed at ensuring a free, fair, and impartial electoral process, and to prevent any perception of bias or undue influence during the conduct of elections.