ECI stays transfer of 12 IPS and 6 APS officers in Assam

Feb. 27: It is a natural process of transferring bureaucrats prior to election. However, the Assam government was caught on the wrong foot in this connection. The transfer of 2 IPS and 6 APS officers collided with the imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced the polling dates of the upcoming assembly elections on the same day. As such, the ECI on Saturday has put a stay on the transfer and posting of these police officers.

In an official statement, the ECI wrote, “The Commission vide its press note dated 26th February, 2021, had announced the schedule of General Elections to Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. With this announcement, the provisions of Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect, which includes total ban on the transfers/postings of all officers connected with conduct of elections. It has come to the notice of Commission that Govt. of Assam has, on 26th February 2021, ordered the transfer of 12 IPS and 6 APS officers. The Commission has therefore decided to keep the transfer/posting of these police officers in abeyance till further orders.”