ThePrintPod: Mamata says ECI transferred officers by breaking convention. What former ECs say on the norm
·8 min
The episode begins by reporting that the Election Commission of India transferred 44 IPS, IAS, and other civil servants in four states after announcing elections to five assemblies. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging the ECI broke convention by not consulting the state government, though she acknowledged its authority during election periods. Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr. S.Y. Qureshi endorsed Banerjee's stand, stating the norm is for the ECI to ask the state for a panel of three officers and select one. He recalled a rare exception where the ECI transferred a police commissioner at midnight due to a money distribution complaint, with no time for consultation. Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa detailed the pre-election procedure, including shifting officers who have been in a position for three years or are in their home districts if connected to election work. He explained that the ECI takes a certificate from the Chief Secretary before elections and can remove officers post-announcement if there are complaints or non-compliance. Dr. Qureshi added that transfers can occur preemptively based on evidence, such as officers making irresponsible remarks, but even then, a panel is sought. The episode lists specific transfers: in West Bengal, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty was replaced by Dushyant Naryala, Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena by Sangha Mitra Ghosh, and DGP P. Ushpande by Sidnath Gupta. Further transfers included 19 IPS officers in West Bengal and police superintendents in four Tamil Nadu districts. In Assam, five IAS officers were appointed as district election officers after the ECI requested a list of officers from batches 2010 to 2021. Kerala saw transfers of five IS, IPS, and KS officers, with orders stating transferred officers cannot be posted in election-related roles until election day. The ECI deployed 1,111 central observers, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized commitment to transparent elections. Banerjee's letter objected to the transfers as 'sweeping' and without cogent reasons, though it acknowledged the ECI's authority. In Rajya Sabha, West Bengal MP Derek O'Brien raised concerns, alleging officers were removed 'in the dead of the night'. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rajiju responded that the government has nothing to do with the ECI's actions and accused the TMC and Congress of attacking constitutional institutions. The episode concludes with details of further postings in Kerala, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, including specific officers assigned to roles like District Police Chief and District Election Officer.
