Kerala SEC bans transfer of govt employees ahead of local body polls

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Election Commission (SEC) has issued an order imposing a state-wide ban on the transfer of government employees involved in the election duties for the upcoming local body polls. 

Citing its constitutional mandate under Articles 243K and 243ZA, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary and Heads of Departments not to shift officials from their current posts till the election process concludes. The ban, effective from October 3, applies to employees across all government departments, local bodies, universities, educational institutions and statutory boards.

The SEC said that the preparation of electoral rolls requires adequate staffing. The Commission said that it is currently collecting the details of the staff necessary to carry out duties related to the general election. 

The SEC highlighted that frequent transfers will disrupt the preparations, such as voter list revisions and polling arrangements, especially when staff data is being collected. To avoid further disruption, the Commission has frozen existing transfer orders and warned against future ones.

The Commission has also directed the Local Self Government Department to urgently fill all existing vacancies of Electoral Registration Officers and Secretaries in Panchayats and Municipalities to ensure timely election preparedness.

However, the order allows for transfers under administrative exigency, provided that prior clearance is obtained from the SEC or District Election Officer.