Election commission should invoke its authority under Article 324 to ensure that the Centre and the States do not position senior officers whose tenures are unduly extended, in order to safeguard the integrity of electionsToShri Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India (ECI)Shri A C Pandey, Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India (ECI)Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India (ECI)Dear S/Shri Rajiv Kumar/ Pandey/ Goel,Both the Centre and several States are positioning their favourite officers in crucial positions to make sure that they play a role to their liking during the general elections due to be held shortly. In some cases, such favourite officers who ought to have retired earlier are being given extensions in service so that they may remain in important positions during the coming elections. Often, such extensions are granted in brazen violation of the norms to be strictly complied with in the case of retiring officers. I earnestly believe that this calls for an effective, prompt intervention from the Election Commission in a manner that facilitates conducting elections in a free and fair manner. It is more an obligation cast on the Commission by Article 324.

Source: Economic Times January 02, 2024 18:12 UTC