The Election Commission of India has sought reports from the CEI, West Bengal and the state government regarding the transfer of bureaucrats and police officers before the Lok Sabha elections. The commission has noticed discrepancies in following the transfer norms and directives. The office of CEO, West Bengal had alerted the state administration to rectify the deviations.
Although bureaucrats and police officers have been transferred as per statutory norms, the commission’s directive of not transferring them within the same Lok Sabha constituency or adjacent district has been overlooked in some cases. As a result, the commission has requested reports from both the CEO, West Bengal and the state government to address these issues.
Political observers believe that West Bengal is under special scrutiny by the commission for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The commission has already allocated 920 companies of Central Armed Police Forces to West Bengal, the highest among all states. Additionally, 50 companies are set to arrive in the state in the first week of March, before the election dates are announced.
A full team from the ECI is scheduled to visit West Bengal in the first week of March to assess poll preparations. During their visit, the commission’s representatives will meet with top bureaucrats and police officers in the state. This move indicates the commission’s heightened focus on ensuring free and fair elections in West Bengal.
The ECI’s action in seeking transfer reports highlights the importance of upholding transfer norms and directives for a smooth and impartial electoral process. The commission is taking proactive measures to address any deviations and strengthen the electoral framework in West Bengal, setting a precedent for efficient and transparent election management.
