In a massive development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday removed the Home Secretaries of six states and one DGP to ensure a fair election takes place. As per reports, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued orders for the removal of Home Secretaries in six states- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Not only this but the Secretary of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have also been removed.
The ECI has reportedly directed the State Governments to transfer the officers connected with election-related work, who have completed three years or are in their home districts. Notably, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 schedule informed the press that they would take such action.
With the model code of conduct is already into effect, the ECI is not happy with the Maharashtra State Governnment's steps. As per reports, Maharashtra is yet to comply with the directions in respect of a few Municipal Commissioners and some Additional / Deputy Municipal Commissioners in Maharashtra. While conveying displeasure to the Chief Secretary, the Commission directed transfer of BMC and the additional / Deputy commissioners with the direction to report by 6 pm today.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Schedule
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, flanked by the two newly appointed Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, said elections would be held in seven phases. In 2019, elections were also held in seven phases. The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held at 10.5 lakh polling stations from April 19 to June 1 and counting of votes will be held on June 4.
The first phase of polling will be conducted on April 19, the second phase will be held on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh and final phase will be held on June 1. The current tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha ends on June 24.