Polls: Mandatory transfers to officials in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: Appropriate steps would be taken immediately on the mandatory transfer of officials who have completed three to four years of service in the same region as also for posting of new officials in various slots in view of the approaching polls.

This was stated by chief secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy on Thursday after he held discussions with CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena about filling of vacancies of various officers related to the election duties. The two also discussed allocation of necessary personnel in the offices of the chief electoral officer and the offices of the district election officers.

CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena said the central election commission would visit the state on January 9 for a two-day tour to review the preparations for the election.

Jawahar Reddy has advised the concerned departments to start preparations for the general elections. He said necessary facilities would be provided to the polling centers.

The CS also reviewed the preparations for setting up integrated check posts at the inter-state borders, with officers and staff from relevant departments, so as to control illegal trafficking of money and liquor.

“I would talk to the chief secretary of Odisha about holding a coordination meeting. All departments of police, revenue, excise, commercial taxes, transport, R&B, Panchayat Raj, education, municipalaffairs etc should start the poll-related preparations from now on,” he said.

Meena said AP has 46,165 polling centres, which should be provided with necessary facilities. Required personnel for the election duties should be fielded in the state election office and district election officers should be appointed on deputation basis.

Various logistical arrangements including implementation of the Covid protocol were discussed in the meeting.

State enforcement director Ravi Prakash said there were 29 integrated check posts in the inter-state borders. Steps are being taken to prevent smuggling of money, liquor, ganja and other intoxicants. Besides these, there are 76 police check posts and 14 forest check posts. Surveillance will be intensified.

Special chief secretary (finance), S.S. Rawat, chief commissioner of state taxes Girija Shankar, additional PCCF Vigilance Gopinath, special enforcement bureau director Ravi Prakash and other officials participated in the meeting.