EC seeks report from state on ‘bias’ in posting officers ahead of bypolls

Ten UP Assembly seats fell vacant in June when nine of the MLAs resigned after being elected to the Lok Sabha, and one, Sishamau, became vacant when the then-Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki was sentenced to seven years in prison in an arson case.

Uttar Pradesh bypolls, up bypolls, UP government, Election Commission, Samajwadi Party, Lucknow news, Uttar pradesh news, Lucknow, India news, Indian express, Indian express India news, Indian express India

It is only after the EC announces any election that the transfers and postings of officers are done with the EC's approval. While announcing the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana elections on August 16, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said there were 47 by-polls due (46 Assembly and one Parliamentary constituency).

The Election Commission on Thursday sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer on the Samajwadi Party’s allegation that the UP government was removing Yadav and Muslim officers from Assembly constituencies where bye-elections are expected later this year, officials said.

While the EC is yet to announce the bye-elections, the by-polls are expected in the next few months. Ten UP Assembly seats fell vacant in June when nine of the MLAs resigned after being elected to the Lok Sabha, and one, Sishamau, became vacant when the then-Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki was sentenced to seven years in prison in an arson case.

The Samajwadi Party had lodged a complaint with the EC on Wednesday alleging that Yadav and Muslim officers, including Booth Level Officers in Kundarki seat of Moradabad district and Sishamau seat of Kanpur district, were being shifted out by the government. As per EC sources, the commission has taken cognisance of the complaint and asked the state CEO for a detailed report. The EC has asked the CEO to give details of the BLOs who have been changed since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections earlier this year and the reason for the same, sources said.

It is only after the EC announces any election that the transfers and postings of officers are done with the EC’s approval. While announcing the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana elections on August 16, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said there were 47 by-polls due (46 Assembly and one Parliamentary constituency). He said the EC would try to hold all these by-polls together and the schedule would be announced well within six months of the vacancies occurring, as is required by Section-151 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More

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