Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls, EC Removes Home Secretaries Of 6 States, Bengal Police Chief And BMC Commissioner

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the removal of Home Secretaries in six states, namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Secretary of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh has also been removed. Furthermore, the ECI has taken action to remove the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal.

"The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also removed Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and Additional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners. ECI has also removed Secretary GAD Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh who are holding charge in respective CM's Office," ANI reported citing sources.

BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal Removed by Election Commission

The Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, has issued an order for the removal of Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, along with additional commissioners and deputy commissioners. This decision comes shortly after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

The Election Commission has directed all state governments to transfer officers involved in election-related tasks who have completed three years or are stationed in their home districts.

Despite the Election Commission's directives, Maharashtra had not complied with the removal of several municipal commissioners, as well as additional and deputy municipal commissioners.

Expressing displeasure to the state chief secretary, the commission has instructed the transfer of BMC officials and additional and deputy commissioners, with a deadline of 6 pm on Monday.

Additionally, the chief secretary has been tasked with transferring similarly positioned municipal commissioners, as well as additional or deputy municipal commissioners, across other corporations in Maharashtra.

These actions are part of the commission's efforts to ensure a level playing field and protect the integrity of the electoral process, a priority emphasized by Chief Election Commissioner Kumar on several occasions.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that the Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases, commencing on April 19, with results slated for June 4.

The subsequent phases are scheduled for April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will be conducted on April 19, and in Andhra Pradesh on May 13. Odisha assembly elections will occur in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Additionally, bypolls will be conducted for 26 assembly constituencies.