The Election Commission has rescinded the appointment of two officials – Anil Sahu and P Anbalagan – in the office of chief election officer of Chhattisgarh.
The Commission has asked the State Government to send panel of IAS and Indian Forest Service officials for appointment on those posts.Notably, in view of the ensuing election of state Assembly by the end of this year and Parliamentary polls next year, set up in the office of the State electoral officer was increased.
The Commission had asked for names of officials from IAS cadre for appointment of Additional Chief Electoral Officer and a deputy chief electoral officer. However, the State Government on Thursday had appointed Anil Sahu of Indian Forest Service cadre, who was on deputation in SECl, as Additional Chief Electoral Officer and deputy secretary of Health department P Anbalagan as deputy chief electoral officer. However, The Election Commission, objecting to the appointment made without taking its nod, annulled the appointment of both the officials made by the state administration. As per the norms, names of three officials of IAS cadre and IFS cadre were to be sent to the Election Commission separately for the two posts and after EC approval the State Government would have appointed the officials but it directly made the appoint circumventing the official process.
Now, the Election Commission has asked the state government to send the panel of 3-3 names separately for the two posts to be filled in the office of State’s Chief Electoral Officer. Notably, EC had also asked the State administration to remove police and administrative officials who are posted at the same place for more than three years. But the list of officials which also included one or two district collectors is yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, as the EC team is scheduled to be present in Raipur on August 20-30, the opposition parties are planning to lodge complaint with the Commission regarding delays in transfers.