The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the implementation of the recommendations made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Odisha to ensure free and fair elections.
A delegation of the state BJP met the Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday and alleged that the state government is not enforcing the recommendations of the ECI ahead of the upcoming elections.
The BJP pointed out that the ECI issued a letter to the state government on December 1, 2023, instructing it to transfer the officers who have been working at their respective places for over three years to ensure free and fair elections.
“About 20 days have passed since the ECI issued this letter. To date, the state government is giving no indications about the implementation of ECI recommendations and has not even initiated the process to transfer officers,” said BJP leader Lekhashree Samantasinghar, adding that the last date for completing the transfer process has been fixed on January 31.
She also alleged that there are over 10 districts where Collectors have been serving for more than five years while the list of IAS and IPS officers who have not been shifted from their last posting for years is long too.
The BJP leader said that there is a provision of a transit period of seven days for the officers from the day of receiving the transfer order. “With only a few days left to the deadline, when these officers will be issued transfer orders, when will their transit period start and when will they report at their new place of posting,” she asked.
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“What is the hidden agenda of the government for not transferring these IAS and IPS officers despite a clear transfer policy and instructions from the ECI,” the BJP leader asked.
No comments have been received from the concerned authorities in this regard.