The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday shifted the Home Secretaries of six states—Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—to provide a fair playing field for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, reported The Indian Express. Rajeev Kumar, the Director General of Police in West Bengal, was also sacked by the election-regulating body.
The spotlight was on the DGP following criticism from the BJP and other opposition parties regarding alleged inaction by the Bengal police in addressing the grievances of Sandeshkhali’s victims.
Unrest erupted in the Sandeshkhali region, with female demonstrators demanding punishment for alleged atrocities perpetrated by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his followers.
Simultaneously, the Election Commission has instructed that all state governments transfer election-related personnel after three years or if they are stationed in their home areas.
Maharashtra has not properly executed the instructions for several Municipal Commissioners and Additional/Deputy Municipal Commissioners.
The Commission, dissatisfied with the Chief Secretary, has ordered the transfer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner and additional/deputy commissioners, with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Monday.
The Chief Secretary has also been tasked with moving similarly situated municipal commissioners and additional/deputy municipal commissioners in other Maharashtra corporations.
The Commission meeting, chaired by Rajiv Kumar and attended by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, was held today at noon.
