CHENNAI: Indicating how closely the Election Commission (EC) is monitoring the happenings in the RK Nagar Assembly constituency where by-election is scheduled for April 12, the Commission on Friday ordered the transfer of two police inspectors, one Electoral Registration Officer and one Assistant Returning Officer working in the constituency. The action has come following complaints from various
political parties.
In its communication to Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, the Commission said S Ramesh Babu, Inspector of Police, H5 New Washermenpet police station, N Balakrishna Prabhu, Inspector, H3 Tondiarpet poice station,Vijayakumar, Zonal Officer (also Electoral Registration Officer) and Sekar, tahsildar and Assistant Returning Officer, should be transferred with immediate effect.
Vijayakumar and Sekar should be shunted outside the constituency area, the EC suggested, asking the State administration to post their replacements in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu. The EC has also directed the Chief Secretary to send a compliance report immediately.
This is the latest in a long list of transfers that the Commission has effected ahead of polling in RK Nagar, the constituency vacated by late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s death. On March 18, the Election Commission appointed a new Returning Officer (RO) to conduct the by-election to the RK Nagar Assembly constituency following a demand from the DMK that the RO and city Police Commissioner be changed to ensure free and fair elections.
A week later, on March 25, following the orders of the Election Commission, the State government transferred S George, Commissioner, Greater Chennai Police. Karan Singha, Additional Director General of Police, Crime Branch CID, took over as the new Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police.