EC orders transfer of poll officers in five states, including Manipur, for 2027 elections

Imphal: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the immediate transfer of election-related administrative and police officials in five states ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The directive, issued on October 27, covers Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The current term of the Manipur Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end on March 13, 2027.

The order applies to officials posted in their home districts and those who have served in the same district for three years during the past four years. In Manipur, the transfer requirement also covers officers who will complete three years in a district on or before March 31, 2027.

According to the communication sent to the Chief Electoral Officers of the five states, the reshuffle is intended to support the conduct of free and fair elections by preventing officials from remaining in positions that could affect the neutrality of the electoral process.

The transfer directive covers a broad range of administrative positions, including District Election Officers, Returning Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Magistrates, Tehsildars and Municipal Commissioners.

Police personnel are also covered by the order. These include senior officers such as Additional Directors General and Inspectors General at the range level, as well as State Armed Police Commandants, District Superintendents of Police and sub-divisional police officials.

The Commission said such transfers are part of its established procedures in states approaching elections and are intended to maintain a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

The directive follows the completion of a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in several states.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by senior deputy election commissioners recently visited Manipur to review preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The visit coincided with the ongoing annual Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls across all five states. The final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on January 4.

The transfer order and voter-list revision exercise form part of the Election Commission’s preparations for the next round of Assembly elections, with Manipur among the states expected to go to the polls in 2027.