ECI orders transfer of election-related officers in Goa, UP, 3 other states ahead of 2027 assembly polls The order covers EROs, ADMs, SDMs, tehsildars, block development officers, and divisional and municipal commissioners. Updated on: Oct 27, 2026, 18:20:24 IST By Himanshi Dahiya Prefer HTPrefer HT Prefer HT on Google Share The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday directed Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to transfer officers associated with election work who are posted in their home districts or have served in the same district for three years or more, ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The ECI stated that no officer covered by the directive would be allowed to continue in their present district if they meet the transfer criteria. (HT_PRINT) The ECI stated that no officer covered by the directive would be allowed to continue in their present district if they meet the transfer criteria. (HT_PRINT) In a letter to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of the five states, the Commission stated that no officer covered by the directive would be allowed to continue in their present district if they meet the transfer criteria. The cut-off date for calculating the three-year tenure has been set as March 31, 2027, for Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand, and May 31, 2027, for Uttar Pradesh. The Commission clarified that promotions to posts within the same district would be counted while calculating the three-year period. However, services rendered at the state headquarters during the past four years would not be included in the calculation, even if the headquarters falls within the same revenue district. The state governments have also been instructed to ensure that transferred officers are not posted to their home districts. District election officers (DEOs), returning officers (ROs), assistant returning officers (AROs) and other designated officials cannot be posted back to the constituency or district where they served during the previous Assembly election or any by-election held since then. The directive covers a wide range of administrative and election-related officials, including electoral registration officers (EROs), additional district magistrates (ADMs), sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs), tehsildars, block development officers, divisional commissioners and municipal commissioners. In the police department, the order applies to officers from the rank of sub-inspector up to range inspector generals and police commissioners. Excise and transport department officials holding the rank of sub-inspector or above are also covered. The Commission has made a separate provision for personnel involved in the ongoing Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls. Their transfer will take place only after the final publication of the electoral rolls and in consultation with the chief electoral officer. Chief secretaries and directors general of police (DGPs) of the five states have been directed to submit compliance reports to the Commission by November 30. Officers associated with election work will be required to submit a declaration within two days of the last date for filing nominations. The declaration must state that they are not close relatives of any contesting candidate and have no criminal cases pending against them. The terms of the five state Assemblies are due to end between March 13, 2027, in Manipur and May 22, 2027, in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission has yet to announce the final schedule for the Assembly elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the transfer of election-related officers across five states ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, directing state governments to ensure that officials meeting the specified criteria do not continue in their existing districts.

In a directive issued on Tuesday, October 27, the Commission instructed Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to transfer officers who are either posted in their home districts or have completed three years or more in the same district. The move is aimed at enforcing administrative guidelines ahead of the upcoming elections.

In a letter addressed to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of the five states, the ECI made it clear that officers covered by the order cannot remain posted in their current districts if they meet the prescribed transfer conditions.

The Commission has established separate cut-off dates for calculating officers’ tenure. For Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand, the three-year period will be calculated up to March 31, 2027. For Uttar Pradesh, the cut-off date has been set as May 31, 2027.

The ECI has also clarified how the tenure period will be assessed. Promotions to positions within the same district will count towards the three-year service requirement. However, service at state headquarters during the preceding four years will be excluded from the calculation, even if the headquarters falls within the same revenue district.

ECI Expands Transfer Rules to Administrative and Police Officials

The transfer directive covers a broad range of administrative and election-related positions. These include electoral registration officers (EROs), additional district magistrates (ADMs), sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs), tehsildars, block development officers, divisional commissioners and municipal commissioners.

The order also extends to police personnel, covering ranks from sub-inspectors to range inspector generals and police commissioners. Officials in the excise and transport departments holding the rank of sub-inspector or above are also included.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Commission has instructed state governments to ensure that transferred officers are not subsequently posted to their home districts. Additional restrictions apply to district election officers (DEOs), returning officers (ROs), assistant returning officers (AROs) and other designated election officials.

These officials cannot be posted back to the constituencies or districts where they served during the previous Assembly elections or any by-election conducted since then.

Special Provision for Electoral Roll Revision Staff

The ECI has made a separate arrangement for officials involved in the ongoing Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls. Their transfers will take place only after the final publication of the electoral rolls and in consultation with the respective chief electoral officer.

The provision establishes a specific timeline for personnel engaged in the electoral roll revision process while retaining the Commission’s broader transfer requirements for election-related officials.

Chief secretaries and directors general of police (DGPs) in all five states have been directed to submit compliance reports to the Election Commission by November 30.

The directive also introduces a declaration requirement for officers associated with election work. Within two days of the last date for filing nominations, the officials concerned must declare that they are not close relatives of any contesting candidate and have no criminal cases pending against them.

Five States Prepare for 2027 Assembly Elections

The terms of the five state Assemblies are scheduled to expire at different points in 2027. Manipur’s Assembly term is due to end on March 13, while Uttar Pradesh’s term is scheduled to conclude on May 22.

The Election Commission has not yet announced the final schedule for the Assembly elections in these states.

The transfer order comes ahead of the electoral cycle and sets out administrative requirements for officials involved in election management. The five state governments will now be required to implement the prescribed transfers and submit compliance reports within the deadline established by the Commission.

The directive establishes restrictions based on officers’ place of posting, length of service and previous election assignments, alongside requirements concerning relationships with candidates and pending criminal cases. These measures form part of the administrative framework being put in place ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.