Rajasthan Election Commission issues strict transfer directives for officers ahead of local polls.
The commission has issued strict directives to remove all officers posted in their home areas across all districts of the state by August 15.
State Election Commission Secretary Rajesh Verma has issued detailed guidelines and instructions in this regard.
Under this order, administrative and police officers directly associated with the election process will be transferred.
This new decision of the commission will directly impact several senior and junior officials.
These include key positions such as Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, District Election Officer, and Additional District Collector.
Additionally, Sub-Divisional Officers, Assistant Collectors, Tehsildars, and Naib Tehsildars will also come under this purview.
The role of the police administration is considered crucial for maintaining a peaceful and fearless voting environment.
In the police department, Range IG, DIG, SP, Additional SP, and DSP will be removed from their home districts.
Police Commissioners, Additional Commissioners, DCPs, and ACPs working in Jaipur and Jodhpur cities cannot be posted in home districts.
Station House Officers (SHOs) and Sub-Inspectors cannot serve in their home urban or Panchayat Samiti areas.
The commission has also set a specific cut-off date for this entire transfer process.
For this, the commission has considered the upcoming date of November 30, 2026, as the base cut-off.
Officers who have been posted in the same place for more than three years in the last four years will be removed.
This rule will apply equally to the respective district, urban area, and Panchayat Samiti area.
The Election Commission has also taken a tough stance against officers who showed negligence in past elections.
No officer against whom disciplinary action was recommended by the Election Commission in past polls will be deployed.
"For free and fair elections, the police and administration must work diligently under the directives of the State Election Commission so that voters can vote fearlessly." - Rajesh Verma, Secretary, State Election Commission
The commission clarified that no personnel associated with the election will be transferred after the official announcement.
In special circumstances, the state government must obtain written approval from the commission to execute any transfer.
For this, the government must send its proposal with complete details to the State Election Commission.
The State Election Commission has exercised its powers under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Indian Constitution.
Under these articles, the commission has the power of superintendence, direction, and control over local body elections.
Using this constitutional authority, the commission decided to take this strict step to prevent local bias.
The commission believes that local connections of officers can influence voting patterns in local body elections.
This order is not limited to rural areas but will apply equally to urban local bodies as well.
Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils cannot be posted in home urban areas.
This rule will also apply to Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners of Development Authorities.
Executive Officers (EOs) of municipalities and Excise Inspectors will also have to move out of their home areas.
The commission has also directed the implementation of strict parameters at the rural Panchayat Samiti level.
Block Development Officers (BDOs) cannot be posted in their home Panchayat Samiti areas under any circumstances.
SHOs, Excise Inspectors, and Naib Tehsildars will also be removed from their home Panchayat Samiti areas.
This step will completely prevent any kind of local influence or bias in rural local body elections.
The State Election Commission warned of strict action if any officer is found posted contrary to these parameters.
All departments must complete the transfer process by August 15, 2026, and submit a report to the commission.
No negligence or violation of rules will be tolerated after the formal announcement of the local body elections.
The state government has been ordered to ensure compliance with these guidelines in letter and spirit to strengthen democracy.
This major administrative reshuffle will ensure transparency and fairness in the state's electoral machinery.
The deployment of new officers across all districts will eliminate any fear of local influence and bias.
This step will help conduct the Panchayat and urban local body elections in Rajasthan in line with democratic values.
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