CEC Rajiv Kumar Calls Out Maharashtra Officials Over Non-Compliance Ahead of Elections

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar expressed disappointment with Maharashtra's administration for failing to reassign key officials and enforce regulations. Kumar highlighted issues including untransferred inspectors, illicit liquor, and cash movement. He directed strict vigilance for upcoming state elections.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, during a review meeting on Friday with top Maharashtra officials, raised concerns over more than 100 police inspectors holding key positions in Mumbai. Despite a directive issued on July 31, 2024, to reassign officials in their home district or current posting for over three years, the state administration has not completed the process, sources said.

Kumar questioned the Chief Secretary on the state's reluctance to transfer revenue officers at key posts, despite clear directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI). The CEC expressed his displeasure over the non-compliance by the state administration and demanded an explanation.

The Election Commission of India has called for an explanation from the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Maharashtra for not fully implementing orders on the transfer of officials ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. He reprimanded the Excise Commissioner of Maharashtra and issued strict instructions to prevent the flow of illicit liquor from neighboring states before the elections.

Sources revealed that Rajiv Kumar directed enforcement agencies to closely monitor the movement and distribution of illegal liquor in the state. He emphasized that all enforcement agencies should treat leaders and star campaigners equally, insisting that helicopters and vehicles be inspected as per protocol.

The Commission instructed that no cash should be transported in vehicles disguised as police vans or ambulances. Close monitoring of illegal cash movement, especially under the guise of emergency services, was stressed. Teams were advised to adapt new methods to track such movements.

Banks were directed to transfer money only during designated hours using specific vehicles, with a prohibition on cash movement after sunset. The Narcotics Control Bureau Director was also tasked with monitoring inter-border drug movement closely. The CEC called for strict vigilance on critical routes and emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing among agencies.

An ECI delegation led by CEC Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu, is in Mumbai for a two-day review of the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

The state legislative assembly elections will occur in 288 constituencies. The Election Commission of India has not yet announced the dates. The upcoming elections will see a contest between the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition (UBT Shiv Sena, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Congress) and the Maha Yuti Alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)).

(With inputs from agencies.)