EC-state row deepens over transfer of IAS officers on poll duty

The tussle between the Election Commission of India and the West Bengal government escalated on Thursday after the state government sought a review of the poll body’s directive asking it to cancel the transfer and additional postings of three IAS officers deputed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Sources said the state government has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) from Nabanna, urging it to reconsider its order that termed the transfers “violative” of the commission’s instructions.

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The three officers had been appointed as electoral roll observers by the EC, and the state’s decision to reassign them without prior approval triggered the confrontation.

On 28 November, the ECI appointed IAS officers Asvini Kumar Yadav, Randhir Kumar and Smita Pandey as observers for the SIR exercise.

Yadav was assigned Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Randhir Kumar North 24-Parganas and Kolkata North, while Smita Pandey was made observer for West Bardhaman, East Bardhaman and Birbhum.

Under EC rules, officers deputed for election-related work cannot be transferred or given additional responsibilities without the commission’s concurrence.

However, between 31 December and 21 January, the state government issued orders assigning additional responsibilities to Yadav and Randhir Kumar and transferring Smita Pandey.

After coming to know of the move, the ECI wrote to Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, directing the state to immediately cancel the orders and refrain from issuing similar instructions in future without prior approval. It also sought a compliance report.

The state government has not withdrawn the orders so far. Instead, in its response, it has requested the ECI to review its directive, citing administrative difficulties, sources said. The commission’s response to the state’s appeal is now awaited.