Srinagar, Sept 30: The Election Commission of India on Monday stalled the appointment of an army officer as senior superintendent of police by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, a day before the Union territory votes in the third phase of assembly elections.
In a written letter to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission referenced an administrative order appointing Colonel Vikrant Prasher, Para, from the High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg, as SSP (Training) and Special (Operations) in the J&K Police, even when there is a ban on transfer of officers connected to elections as MCC in in force.
The Commission in its order to Chief Secretary noted that “The Commission has observed that the Model Code of Conduct is in force in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and as such there is a ban on transfer of officers connected to election is in force.
Without going into the rationale at this stage, process and urgency of posting of an Army officer as SSP in the civil side during the period of operation of MCC, the Commission hereby directs that order shall be kept in abeyance with immediate effect. If the order has already been implemented, the status quo prior to the issuance of the order must be restored immediately.”
The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir has been instructed to submit a compliance report by 11:00 am on 01.10.2024, along with a detailed explanation regarding the rationale for issuing the order without obtaining the required clearance from the Election Commission.
The third phase of J&K elections will be held on October 1. Over 39.18 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise at 5,060 polling stations in the third phase, covering 40 assembly segments in Jammu, Udhampur, Samba and Kathua in the Jammu region and Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north Kashmir.
