Mandi bypoll: BJP demands transfer of seven officials

Opposition BJP on Sunday demanded the transfer of seven officials,including two SPs,two DCs and a DSP,in the wake of the upcoming Mandi Lok Sabha bypoll in Himachal Pradesh.

Party spokesman Ganesh Dutt,in a letter to the Election Commission (EC),reminded the EC that while officers directly involved in the conduct of elections,cannot be posted in their areas,these SPs and DCs belonging to Kinnaur,Shimla,Chamba,Lahual-Spiti,Mandi and Kullu districts are still working in the Lok Sabha constituency.

The list of officers submitted to the EC included Kinnaur SP,who belongs to Lahual-Spiti,Mandi SP (Kinnaur),Kullu and Lahual Spiti DCs (Kinnaur). The sub-divisional magistrate,DSP and SHO at Rampur are also from Kinnaur,the party claimed.

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Alleging that the presence of these officers need to be shifted to maintain fairness and impartiality in the bypolls,Dutt wrote: The Commission must take note of the facts brought to its notice and shift the officers.

When contacted,Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Narinder Chauhan said: The EC has already sent letter to the government asking for appropriate action in this regard. Before the polls,guidelines have been circulated to the government. I hope the government will act where it is required.

According to sources,the government has already ordered the transfer of Kinnaur SP but no action has been taken in case of other officers named in the BJPs complaint.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singhs wife Pratibha Singh is facing sitting BJP MP Jairam Thakur in the June 23 bypoll.

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