Politics
ECI Orders Transfer of Election Officers in Five States Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the transfer of election‑related officers in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The directive applies to electoral registration officers (EROs), additional district magistrates (ADMs), sub‑divisional magistrates (SDMs), tehsildars, block development officers, divisional and municipal commissioners, as well as police officers from sub‑inspector to range inspector general and police commissioners, and excise and transport officials from sub‑inspector rank and above. Officers who are posted in their home districts or have served in the same district for three years or more will be transferred. The cut‑off for the three‑year period is March 31 2027 for Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand, and May 31 2027 for Uttar Pradesh. Promotions within the same district count toward the three‑year period, but service at the state headquarters in the past four years is excluded. The order also bars district election officers, returning officers, assistant returning officers and other designated officials from being posted back to a constituency or district where they served during the previous Assembly election or any by‑election since then. The directive covers officers involved in the ongoing Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, whose transfer will occur only after the final publication of the rolls and in consultation with the chief electoral officer. Chief secretaries and directors general of police of the five states must submit compliance reports by November 30. Officers linked to election work must file a declaration within two days of the last nomination filing date, stating they are not close relatives of any contesting candidate and have no pending criminal cases. The terms of the five state assemblies expire between March 13 2027 (Manipur) and May 22 2027 (Uttar Pradesh). The ECI has not yet announced the final schedule for the 2027 Assembly elections.