ECI suspends 14 police officials including two SPs, transfer Palanadu Collector for post-poll violence

DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) took a stern stance against the post-election violence in Andhra Pradesh, ordering the suspension and transfer of senior officials, including SPs and District Collectors.

In a meeting held at Nirvachan Sadan with Chief Secretary Jawahar Reddy and DGP Harish Gupta, the Commission, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar and ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, conveyed its displeasure over the post-poll violence in Andhra Pradesh. Without mincing any words, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure that such violence was not repeated and tasked all SPs with taking preemptive measures to avoid such situations in the future.

The Commission reviewed the cases at their level and directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to strictly supervise and ensure appropriate decisions on the timely filing of chargesheets against the culprits, as per the law, preferably within the model code of conduct period.

During the briefing, the Chief Secretary and DGP highlighted their assessment of negligence and inadequate supervision by officials in the violence-affected districts. Consequently, the Commission directed the State Government to transfer the District Collector of Palnadu and ordered the suspension of the SPs in Palnadu and Ananthapuramu districts, along with 12 subordinate police officials across these districts. Additionally, it mandated the transfer of the SP of Tirupati. All suspended officials will also face departmental inquiries.

A Special Investigation team was constituted to investigate the matter and submit an action taken report to the Commission within two days for each of the cases. FIRs were updated with additional appropriate IPC sections and other relevant statutory provisions.

The State Government's request to retain 25 CAPF companies for 15 days after counting to control any possible violence after the declaration of results was approved. The Commission decided to direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to retain the 25 CAPF companies in Andhra Pradesh for 15 days after counting to control any violence after the declaration of results.

It may be recalled that the ECI summoned the Chief Secretary and DGP of Andhra Pradesh to New Delhi to personally explain the reasons for the failure of the administration to contain post-poll violence. Several incidents of violence were reported in Ananthapuramu, Palnadu, and Tirupati districts on the polling day and the post-poll day. Incidents were also reported before the poll involving assault, setting the property/office of the opposite party on fire, threatening, damaging campaign vehicles, stone-pelting, etc. Most of these incidents happened in the districts of Annamaya, Chittoor, and Palnadu, with a few incidents in Guntur, Anantapur, and Nandyal, etc.