Election Commission on February 27 stayed the transfer of police officers ordered by the Assam government on February 26, the day the polls in the state were announced.
Citing the Model Code of Conduct, an official communication from the chief electoral officer (CEO), Assam said that the Election Commission has decided to keep the transfer of the 12 IPS and six APS officers in abeyance till further orders.
Elections to the 126 assembly constituencies of Assam were announced on February 26. The commission also announced elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.
With the announcement, the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct came into force with immediate effect, which include “total ban” on the transfers/postings of all officers connected with conduct of elections, the commission noted.
“It has come to the notice of commission that the government of Assam has, on February 26, ordered the transfer of 12 IPS and 6 APS officers. The commission has, therefore, decided to keep the transfer/posting of these police officers in abeyance till further orders,” the statement by CEO Assam Nitin Khade said.
