'Replace' Churu SP for violating guideline: Election Commission

JAIPUR: The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Rajasthan on Friday has written to the department of personnel (DOP) to look into the complaint received against Churu superintendent of police (SP) and replace him with a new one if he is found to be violating Election Commission (EC) norm, by holding the post of a field officer during the polls when his retirement is due within six months.

Considering that Churu SP Yadram Phansal has just three months left for his retirement (retirement due in June), according to the Commission rule, a field officer is required to have at least six months during the elections.

According to the Election Commission rule, any officer, falling in the category (due to retire within the coming six months) if holding an election related post shall be relieved of that charge and not be associated with any election related duty.

The Commission’s rule also states that “such retiring officer need not be tranferred out of the district.”

"There is a provision in the Election Commission rule book to that effect. We received a complaint against the officer. We asked the DOP to look into the matter and, if found violating norms, take action accordingly (according to the directive of the Commission). The DOP has all the records, so we have asked them to look into the matter," said CEO Rajasthan Anand Kumar.

The Lok Sabha polls in Rajasthan would be held on April 29 and May 6 which are the fourth and the fifth phases of the general elections. During the fourth phase on April 29, the polls will be held in 13 constituencies in the state and elections will take place in 12 constituencies during the fifth phase on May 6.

The 13 constituencies that will go to polls on April 29 are Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur , Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran. And the 12 Lok Sabha constituencies in which elections will be held on May 6 are Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur.