Jaipur: Ahead of the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections in Rajasthan, the State Election Commission (SEC) has issued strict orders banning the transfer and posting of officers in field positions across the state. The Commission has also directed that officers posted in their home districts or those who have completed three years or more at a single posting must be transferred within the stipulated timeline.
Ban on Transfers to Remain in Force Till Completion of Elections
According to the orders issued by the State Election Commission, the ban on transfers and postings will come into effect from the date of announcement of the election schedule and will remain applicable until the completion of the election process.
The restrictions apply to all officers holding field postings, including –
- District Collectors
- Additional District Magistrates (ADMs)
- Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs)
- Officers of municipal bodies
- Police station officers (SHOs)
- Other government officials involved in election-related duties
Officers Posted in Home Districts to Be Removed by February 28
The Commission has clearly instructed that officers currently posted in their home districts must be removed from their posts by February 28, 2026. The move aims to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections by preventing any local influence.
Officers With More Than Three Years’ Tenure to Be Transferred
In another major directive, the State Election Commission has ordered the transfer of officers who have been posted at one location for three years or more.
- Cut-off date: April 30, 2026
- If an officer’s tenure in a district, municipality, or panchayat samiti area exceeds three years by April 30, they will be mandatorily transferred.
This rule applies uniformly across administrative and police services.
February 28 Deadline for All Transfers and Postings
The Commission has granted the state government and concerned departments time till February 28 to complete all required transfers and postings in accordance with the new guidelines.
The SEC has warned that:
- If any officer is posted in violation of these rules after February 28,
- The Commission will take action to remove such officers from their current postings.
Special Restrictions on Officers Involved in Voter List Preparation
The Election Commission has imposed additional restrictions on the transfer of officers involved in the preparation of voter lists, including:
- SDMs
- Tehsildars
- Naib Tehsildars
- Other officials associated with electoral roll preparation
The Commission clarified that until the final publication of the voter list, such officers cannot be transferred without prior permission from the State Election Commission.
Objective: Free, Fair, and Transparent Elections
The SEC stated that these measures are aimed at maintaining administrative neutrality and ensuring that the election process remains transparent and unbiased. Similar restrictions are routinely imposed ahead of elections to prevent misuse of official position and to uphold democratic integrity.
Summary of Key Directives
- Ban on transfer/posting of field officers from election notification till polls conclude
- Officers posted in home districts to be removed by February 28
- Officers completing 3 years or more at one posting to be transferred (cut-off: April 30)
- Deadline for all permissible transfers: February 28
- Prior SEC permission mandatory for transfer of officers involved in voter list preparation
