No exception in transfer of officials, ECI warns Maharashtra govt

“All those who are on extension or contract, depends on where they are. Whether they are on election duty or not, whether they are performing regular jobs or advisory capacity. Based on that a decision will be taken on a case to case basis. But if they are doing election work or they can influence the election, then they will definitely be dealt with and not allowed to interfere with the election process,” said Kumar.

The Election Commission on Friday sought explanations from the Maharashtra government and police after finding that they failed to comply with its instructions to transfer officials ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

The EC had on July 31 instructed the government and police to transfer all those officials who are posted in their home districts and those who have been in the same place for three or more years.

Despite reminders on August 22, September 11 and September 25, the EC is yet to get the full reports, it said in a letter to the Chief Secretary on Friday. While a partial report from the Additional DGP was sent, “no report has been received in the Commission from the Chief Secretary till date”, the EC wrote.

Asking for the reports to be sent immediately, the EC asked the Chief Secretary and DGP to “explain the circumstances as to why the compliance reports have not been furnished even after the lapse of stipulated time limit despite reminders in the matter”.

The Opposition Congress has demanded that the Election Commission remove DGP Rashmi Shukla from her post to ensure “fair and impartial” polls in the state. The CEC said that he will not discuss individual complaints in a press conference. “We will receive it (the complaint) and go through a procedure and take a decision at the appropriate time,” the CEC said.

“The ECI’s objective is to have free, fair, impartial, inducement free and inclusive election,’’ the CEC said, adding that efforts are being made to increase the voters’ turnout in the Assembly election by addressing various issues including urban voter apathy, migration of industrial workers and slum dwellers and lack of sufficient amenities at the polling stations. “It will be a paid holiday for workers,” he said.

Reading out names of Assembly segments with around 40 per cent turnout of voters in the LS polls, such as Colaba, Mumbadevi and Kurla, he said it is a matter of serious concern especially when there was over 70 per cent turnout in the naxal-affected Gadchiroli during the general election and also in Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing Assembly election.

Taking a cue from a number of complaints in urban areas over lack of facilities during LS polling, the CEC said that directions have been issued to make provision of all basic facilities like watersheds at polling stations. “Chairs and benches will be put up for elderly as well as persons with disabilities,” he said, adding that 100 per cent webcasting in polling stations in urban areas will be done.