Election Panel transfers officers

With the municipal corporation and zilla parishad (district council) elections scheduled for next month, several officers across the state have been transferred.

According to sources, the transfers came about after the State Election Commission asked the revenue department for a report on the action taken against officials who are in their home district or against whom there have been severe complaints in the recent past, and who are likely to be involved in the forthcoming elections.

The report is due to be submitted on Tuesday.

Neela Satyanarayana, the state Election Commissioner, said seeking a report before the elections are announced is a normal practice because once the dates are announced, officials are not usually transferred. Once the election dates are announced, the model code of conduct, which is binding on the government and political parties, comes into effect. It is difficult to transfer officials during such a phase.

The election dates are expected to be announced in the coming week and the state government will hold its regular cabinet meeting on Monday instead of Wednesday, when it is normally held.