CEO seeks 3-officer panel for posting as Ludhiana CP, later says ‘routine request’

IPS officer Swapan Sharma is the incumbent Commissioner of Police in Ludhiana.

“The panel may kindly include officers of appropriate seniority and experience, in accordance with the prescribed norms and eligibility criteria for the post of Commissioner of Police, and who are otherwise free from any encumbrances or administrative constraints, including involvement in election-related duties, vigilance inquiries or disciplinary proceedings,” the CEO’s letter reads.

He had written, “The matter is urgent and requires early finalisation. It is, therefore, requested that the panel of officers may kindly be forwarded to this office, at the earliest, for onward transmission to the ECI.”

The CEO, however, on Thursday, issued a clarification in the media, reading, “The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab today issued a clarification regarding a letter sent to the Government seeking a panel of officers in connection with the upcoming Ludhiana West bye-election. The letter is part of a standard and routine administrative process undertaken before every election. Ahead of each election, the CEO’s office seeks an advanced panel of officers from the state government.

This is done purely as a preparatory measure, should the Election Commission of India (ECI) require any changes in administration.”
The CEO clarifies, “No recommendation has been made to replace any officer, so far. The panel is only meant to ensure smooth administrative functioning if such a requirement arises in future.”

The CEO requested the media “to refrain from speculation on any news without confirmation from the CEO’s office”.
The Punjab government had appointed Swapan Sharma as the Ludhiana Police Commissioner in March.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sharma was removed as the Jalandhar Police Commissioner, along with Kuldeep Chahal as the Ludhiana Police Commissioner.

As per the rules, if an officer is removed during the election, he can never participate in the electoral process or be posted where the election is held.

After the appointment of Swapan Sharma as the Ludhiana Police Commissioner, BJP’s SC wing chairman and former IAS officer SR Ladhar protested, stating Sharma was removed from Jalandhar during the elections, so he could not be posted in Ludhiana.