The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued orders prohibiting the transfer of State government employees and teachers until the upcoming local body elections are over.
This is to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections as the employees and teachers will be engaged for election duty, said State Election Commissioner V. Bhaskaran on Monday.
Mr. Bhaskaran issued directions in this regard to the Chief Secretary and heads of government departments. The order is valid from November 2 to the conclusion of the elections, which are most likely to be held in December.
The order applies to the staff of various government departments, local self-government institutions, educational institutions, statutory boards and other institutions.
The commission is in the process of assigning government employees and teachers for duties related to the voting and the counting of votes, Mr. Bhaskaran said.
The SEC asked the police to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are strictly enforced during the elections. Mr. Bhaskaran met State Police Chief Loknath Behera and other senior officers on Monday in connection with the arrangements for the elections. At the meeting, the officers pointed out that the local body polls in 2015 were held in two phases, but no specific recommendation was made in this regard for the upcoming elections, commission officials said.
Sensitive polling booths
The commission directed the police to prepare a list of sensitive polling booths and provide details of the deployment of police personnel.
Given the COVID-19 scenario, the commission had issued a set of guidelines for the elections which require the deployment of four polling officers, one attender and one police officer in each polling station.
The commission is scheduled to hold a videoconference with District Collectors and Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta on Wednesday in connection with the election arrangements.
Although the term of the elected councils will end on November 11, the commission had decided to put off the elections considering the COVID-19 situation in the State. The commission had recently issued orders stating that the entire election process would be completed by December 31.
Submission in court
Meanwhile, the SEC told the High Court (HC) that preparations for holding the elections are in its final stages. It submitted the details of discussions held with political parties, State Police Chief, health authorities and other agencies.
It was while considering a writ petition filed by P.C. George, MLA, seeking to issue directions for postponing the elections in the wake of COVID-19 that the commission submitted the statement.
The High Court has posted the case for orders.
