The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken significant steps to ensure the impartiality and integrity of the upcoming elections by ordering the removal of key officials in several states. Home secretaries in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have been asked to step down, along with the director general of police (DGP) in West Bengal, due to previous issues related to election management duties in past elections.
Furthermore, the ECI has directed the transfer of officers involved in election-related activities who have either completed three years in their current roles or are stationed in their home districts. This move is aimed at preventing any potential bias or unfair advantage during the electoral process by ensuring a level playing field for all candidates. During a recent press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reiterated the commission's commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, which includes maintaining neutrality in the deployment of forces and law and order matters during elections.
In light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled to take place in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, the ECI's actions are crucial in maintaining the credibility of the electoral process. The decisions to remove certain officials were made during a commission meeting chaired by Rajiv Kumar, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that officials do not hold dual positions that could compromise their impartiality. With the current government's term set to end on June 16, these measures are integral to conducting free and fair elections.