N. Ramesh Kumar, the State Election Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh, on the 29th of January, wrote to the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Adityanath Das.
In his letter, Mr. Kumar sought the removal of Praveen Prakash, the Principal Secretary, General Administration Department (Political,) from poll duties.
Mr. Kumar alleged Praveen Prakash of scuttling a video conference convened by the Commission with Collectors and the Superintendents of police (SPs.) The conference was held on the 23rd of January in preparation for the upcoming Grama Panchayat polls.
Mr. Kumar said, “The State Election Commission invokes its plenary powers under Article 243 read with Article 324 to transfer Praveen Prakash, IAS, with a view to ensure free and fair elections. ”
The letter further read, “He is barred during the course of elections to have interaction with District Collectors and Superintendents of Police and any other officers who either directly or indirectly deal with matters relating to elections.”
The SEC also said, “As a result of the non-preparedness on the part of the District collectors, the commission was forced to reschedule the phase I elections. This is a totally unconscionable act and merits serious action in the fitness of things.”
This is not the first time the SEC removed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the upcoming polls.
The two senior IAS officers, the Principal Secretary of the SEC Gopal Krishna Dwivedi and M. Girija Sankar, the Commissioner of Panchayat Raj were removed from election duties. Mr. Kumar said they failed to carry out their duties in preparing the latest electoral rolls as per January, 2021, for the ongoing Gram Panchayat poll.
However, the state government rejected the Commission’s move saying that the SEC has no powers to do so.
Meanwhile, nominations for the first phase of the polls began on Friday and polls will be held on the 9th of February.
The last date for filing nominations for the first phase is the 31st of January.
Stay tuned for further updates.
