The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday ordered the transfer of Tamil Nadu Home Secretary Dheeraj Kumar as part of its measures to ensure free and fair elections in the state. Manivasan has been appointed as the new Home Secretary with immediate effect.
Tamil Nadu is set to go to polls for its Legislative Assembly on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. As campaigning intensifies across the state, the EC has been reviewing administrative arrangements to maintain neutrality in the electoral process.
The transfer comes amid complaints from opposition parties, who had approached the EC alleging that certain Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and police officials were acting in favour of the ruling dispensation. They had sought the transfer of such officials to ensure impartial conduct of the elections.
In recent days, the Commission has ordered a series of key administrative reshuffles. Earlier, Tamil Nadu DGP-in-charge Venkataraman was transferred and replaced by Sandeep Rai Rathore as the new Director General of Police (Law and Order).
Similarly, Davidson Devasirvatham, the DGP of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, was transferred and succeeded by Sandeep Mittal. The state’s Chief Secretary Muruganandam was also moved, with Sai Kumar taking over the post.
Additionally, Chennai City Police Commissioner Arun was recently transferred, and Abhin Dinesh Modak has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Police.
Officials said that such transfers are a standard practice ahead of elections, particularly for those who have held key positions for an extended period, to prevent any perceived bias.
The Commission has clarified that the latest order will come into effect immediately and that the transferred Home Secretary will not be assigned to any election-related duty until the polling process is completed.
With multiple high-level administrative changes underway, the EC aims to reinforce the integrity and neutrality of the electoral machinery as Tamil Nadu heads into a crucial election.
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