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Poll panel directive to Government

By D. P. Sharan

RANCHI, DEC. 15. The Election Commission today directed the Jharkhand Government to transfer officials posted in sensitive Assembly segments in the State for over three years, thus implicitly endorsing the demand of some Opposition parties. However, the Commission also told the State Government not to shift those employees who were engaged in electoral roles but had not completed three years at a single place.

Talking to the pressmen here today, the Election Commissioner, N. Gopalaswami, said he received complaints from different political parties yesterday about transfer of officials by the State Government which was inclear defiance of the Commission's standing guidelines.

Under those guidelines, officials who had not completed three years at a place were not to be transferred till January 3 — the datefor finalisation of voter-lists and photo-identity cards, Mr. Gopalaswami said.

He said he was told that in spite of the Commission's directives, officials had been transferred en bloc.

He said the Commission had been keeping a close vigil on such lapses.

Mr. Gopalaswami said that after photographs of the Chief Minister, Arjun Munda, was printed on ration cards and then distributed, the Election Commission had immediately ordered their withdrawal.

Showing dissatisfaction over the progress of distribution of photo-identity cards to voters, Mr. Gopalaswami said only 65 per cent of voters could be covered so far. He said that he had directed the State Government to step up the process and complete the exercise by January 3.

He was concerned about the suggestions by the ruling BJP in the State to hold simultaneous elections in Jharkhand and Bihar. He said the matter was under consideration.

Earlier, apart from holding a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners Mr. Gopalaswami shared experiences of the most militant-infested districts of the State during the last Parliamentary elections with the Deputy Commissioners.

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Poll panel directive to Government

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