EC puts State in quandary over staff

MUMBAI, December 22: The Election Commission’s (EC) directive to immediately transfer poll-related officials who have completed four years in one place or those posted in their home towns, has put the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in a difficult position.

Though specific information on such officers was not available, according to a revenue department official, at least 300 officials of the revenue department and 100 police officers will have to be shifted. "Election duty is given to revenue officials of the rank of Tehsildar and above and almost every police officer. We will now have to examine the date of postings of these officials and also if they are in their home towns," the official said. This order will create numerous administrative problems, according to the official.

Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer D K Shankaran said his office has sought information on the officials from the General Administration Department. "Once we receive the proposal from the government, we will forward it to the EC for approval," he said.