1. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated significant changes after announcing the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
2. Rajeev Kumar, the Director General of Police in West Bengal, is among the top officials directed to step down from his position.
3. Additionally, home secretaries in six states have also been ordered to be removed from their roles by the ECI.
New Delhi, March 18: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken decisive action following the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections schedule, ordering the removal of several top officials across various states.
Removal of Key Figures
- West Bengal DGP: Rajeev Kumar, the Director General of Police in West Bengal, has been ordered to step down from his position.
- Home Secretaries: Home secretaries from six states – Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand – have also received directives for removal.
- General Administrative Departments: Secretaries from the general administrative departments in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh are among those who have been asked to be removed.
- Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai: Iqbal Singh Chahal, the Brihanmumbai municipal commissioner, along with additional commissioners and deputy commissioners, have been directed to step down.
Reasons for ECI Action
The Election Commission’s decision stems from its instruction to state governments regarding the transfer of officers involved in election-related duties. Officers serving for three years or stationed in their home districts were to be transferred as part of this directive.
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Non-Compliance in Maharashtra
Maharashtra faced criticism from the Election Commission for its failure to comply with the directives concerning several municipal commissioners, additional commissioners, and deputy municipal commissioners. The state’s chief secretary was singled out for dissatisfaction by the commission.
Response and Reactions
In response to the removal of officials, the Trinamool Congress leader, Kunal Ghosh, criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of attempting to exert control over organizations like the Election Commission.
He claimed that the BJP was trying to influence the functioning of such organizations, including the ECI, reflecting a broader trend of the party’s efforts to assert control over various institutions.
The Election Commission’s decision to remove top officials from several states underscores its commitment to ensuring the integrity and impartiality of the electoral process.
However, it has sparked political reactions, with parties like the Trinamool Congress accusing the BJP of interference in the functioning of democratic institutions.
