In a significant move aimed at ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the removal of key administrative officials in several states, including the home secretaries in six states and the police chief of West Bengal.
The directive, issued just days after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule, underscores the ECI’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field and upholding the sanctity of the democratic process.
According to official sources, the ECI has mandated the removal of home secretaries in Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, along with additional commissioners and deputy commissioners in various regions. The decision aims to reinforce the impartiality of the election machinery and prevent any potential bias in the run-up to the polls.
Furthermore, the Commission has instructed the West Bengal government to relieve Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar from election-related duties, paving the way for his replacement by a panel of three nominated police officers. This move signals the ECI’s commitment to ensuring the autonomy and neutrality of law enforcement agencies during the electoral process.
Additionally, the governments of Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have been directed to make changes to the secretaries of their general administrative departments, further strengthening the administrative framework ahead of the upcoming polls.
The ECI’s actions come in the wake of its announcement of a seven-phase polling schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, commencing on April 19, 2024, and concluding on June 1, 2024. With these administrative changes in place, the Commission seeks to instill public confidence in the electoral process and uphold the principles of democracy across the nation.
