Election Commission begins preparations for Assembly elections; poll dates likely to be announced before March 15

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India has started preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in several states, including Kerala. Elections are due to be held in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and West Bengal, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry. New governments must take office in these states by May. The election dates, including those for Kerala, are likely to be announced before March 15.

As part of the preparations, the Commission has directed that officials assigned to election duty be transferred. Instructions have been given to Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police to transfer officials who are directly connected with election work. Those who have served in the same district for three years in the past four years have also been asked to be moved. Teachers, medical officers and others not directly involved in election duties are not included in this order.

The transfer order will apply to District Collectors, Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tahsildars and Block Development Officers. It will also cover police officials from the rank of Range ADG to Sub-Inspector. However, officials who are set to retire before May 31 this year will not be affected by the transfer order. The Commission has also directed that officers facing criminal cases related to their official duties, those under disciplinary action, or those who committed lapses in previous elections should not be assigned election work.