EC orders removal of home secretaries in six states, Bengal DGP

The Election Commission on Monday ordered the removal of home secretaries in six states. These top bureaucrats were found to be holding dual charges at the chief minister's offices in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The move is part of the commission's efforts to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

The decision was made during a meeting attended by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and fellow ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu on Monday. 

This comes two days after the dates for Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls in four states were announced along with by-elections in some of the assembly seats.

The election panel has also ordered removal of West Bengal police chief as well as the Secretary of the General Administrative Departments in Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram governments.

Besides, the poll panel has ordered removal of Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, additional commissioners and deputy commissioners.

The commission has also directed state governments to transfer the officers involved in the election-related work, provided they have completed three years or are in their home districts.

The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections will be held on April 19 with the final phase pegged for June 1. The poll verdict will be announced on June 4.