The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered the transfer of several officials across multiple poll-bound states, including Kerala, Assam and West Bengal, ahead of upcoming Assembly elections.
The Commission said the move was aimed at ensuring free, fair, impartial and peaceful elections. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had earlier assured that the electoral process across all states would remain inducement-free and transparent.
In Kerala, Narayanan (IPS-2011) has been appointed as District Police Chief of Kozhikode. Thomson Jose will take charge as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for the Thrissur range, while Inbasekhar has been posted as District Collector-cum-District Election Officer for Alappuzha.
Vandana S (KAS) has been appointed as Revenue Divisional Officer in Thaliparamba and Returning Officer for the Irikkur constituency in Kannur district. Sachin Krishna (KAS) will serve as District Registrar General in Kannur and Returning Officer for the Dharmadam constituency.
The Commission directed the Kerala government to implement the transfers and submit a compliance report by 11 am on March 18.
In Assam, the ECI ordered the posting of five Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs). Somalin Shubhdarshini (IPS) will be posted in Majuli, R Sheetal Kumar (IPS) in South Salmara, Anchal Chauhan (IPS) in Sadiya, Sudhakar Singh (IPS) in Chirang, and Mohan Lal Meena (IPS-2016) in Dhemaji.
The Commission instructed that the postings be implemented immediately, with a compliance report to be submitted by March 17. It also directed that transferred officers should not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the polls.
In West Bengal, the Commission carried out a major administrative reshuffle ahead of the two-phase elections scheduled for April 23 and April 29.
Surya Pratap Yadav (IPS-2011) has been appointed as SP of Barasat Police District, while Rakesh Singh (SPS-2014) will serve as SP of Cooch Behar. Kumar Sunny Raj (IPS-2017) has been posted in Birbhum, Ishani Paul (IPS-2013) in Islampur Police District, Pushpa (IPS-2012) in Hooghly Rural, and Jaspreet Singh (IPS-2016) in Diamond Harbour Police District.
Yeilwad Shrikant Jagannathrao (IPS-2015) has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Central Division in Kolkata, while Papiya Sultana (SPS-2015) will serve as SP of Paschim Medinipur.
Additionally, Siddh Nath Gupta has been appointed as Director General of Police, replacing Peeyush Pandey. Ajay Kumar Nand has been named Commissioner of Kolkata Police, while Natarajan Ramesh Babu will serve as Director General of Correctional Services. Ajay Mukund Ranade has been appointed as Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order).
According to the election schedule, Kerala and Assam will vote in a single phase on April 9. West Bengal will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. Puducherry will also hold elections on April 9.
The counting of votes for all states and the Union Territory will take place on May 4, the Commission said.
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