New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued fresh guidelines on the transfer of election-related officials in five states, including Punjab, ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, aiming to ensure the neutrality of the administrative and police machinery during the electoral process.
The commission has directed the governments of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur to transfer officials assigned election duties who have completed three years in a district during the past four years or will complete the tenure by the prescribed cut-off date. Such officials will also not be allowed to remain posted in their home districts.
The guidelines cover district election officers, returning officers, electoral registration officers and other election staff. Several district administration officials, tehsildars and police personnel involved in election security arrangements will also fall under the transfer policy.
The move is intended to prevent officials from remaining in the same district for extended periods and to strengthen the impartiality of election-related administration ahead of the polls.
