Election Commission orders mass transfers of officials in five states before 2027 polls

The Election Commission of India issued a directive requiring the transfer of election-related personnel in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand before the 2027 state assembly elections. Officials who have been posted in their home district or the same district for three years or longer, calculated up to March 31, 2027 for four states and May 31, 2027 for Uttar Pradesh, must be moved elsewhere. The rule applies to electoral registration officers, additional district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates, tehsildars, block development officers, divisional and municipal commissioners, as well as police ranks from sub-inspector up to range inspector generals and excise and transport officers.

Transfers cannot place officers back in districts where they handled the previous election or any by-election. State chief secretaries and directors general of police must submit compliance reports by November 30, and affected officers must file a declaration confirming no close relation to candidates and no pending criminal cases.