New Delhi, October 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the process of transferring and posting government officials and police personnel ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and three other states, directing that officers directly involved in election duties should not be posted in their home districts or places where they have served for an extended period.
In identical letters addressed to the Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand, the Commission instructed the state administrations to implement its transfer policy to help ensure free and fair elections.
According to the ECI, the terms of the current Legislative Assemblies expire on March 14, 2027, in Goa; March 13, 2027, in Manipur; March 16, 2027, in Punjab; May 22, 2027, in Uttar Pradesh; and March 28, 2027, in Uttarakhand.
The Commission said the transfer policy would cover officers directly connected with election management, including Divisional Commissioners, Municipal Commissioners, and officers of the Prohibition and Excise and Transport departments.
The instructions also extend to police officers responsible for security arrangements and the deployment of police personnel during elections. The covered ranks include Range Additional Directors General and Inspectors General, Additional IGs, Commissioners of Police, Deputy Inspectors General, Additional Commissioners of Police, Commandants of State Armed Police, Senior Superintendents of Police, Superintendents of Police, Joint Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, Additional SPs, sub-divisional police heads, Inspectors, Reserve Inspectors and officers of equivalent ranks.
In its communication, the ECI directed the state governments and concerned departments to ensure strict compliance with the instructions.
The Commission also specified that officers ordered to be transferred must hand over their charge immediately rather than wait for their replacements to take over.
The Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of the respective states have been directed to submit compliance reports by November 30, detailing the action taken by the concerned state government departments and offices.
The move is part of the Commission’s administrative preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, with the objective of maintaining impartiality and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
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