As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Election Commission of India has issued a directive to state governments, urging them to ensure that officials transferred out of a district after serving three years are not subsequently posted in another district within the same parliamentary constituency. This directive, issued on February 24, 2024, comes in response to instances where officials were relocated to adjacent districts within the same constituency, causing disruptions to the electoral balance.
The Election Commission has called upon state governments to rigorously implement the official transfer policy, stating, “Except for the states/UTs that comprise up to two parliamentary constituencies, all states shall ensure that officers who are transferred out of the district are not posted within the same parliamentary constituency.”
The primary objective of this move is to maintain a level-playing field in the electoral process by preventing officials from influencing the proceedings in an unbalanced manner. The Election Commission emphasized that this rule would apply retroactively, covering transfers and postings that have already taken place under its jurisdiction.
According to the Election Commission’s existing policy, officers who have served in their home district or completed a three-year tenure in a single location are subject to transfer. This rule is applicable to all officials involved in electoral work, whether directly or in a supervisory capacity. The aim is to uphold the principles of a free and fair election process by curbing any potential disruptions caused by the strategic placement of officials.
