The Election Commission has ordered the transfer of 10 police personnel, including a DCP, to ensure a fair and smooth election process in the Karnataka assembly polls. According to sources, the officers were transferred at the request of a state minister, and their removal was deemed necessary for the enforcement of the poll code. The transferred officers include the DCP (North) Bengaluru, the ACP of Yeshwanthpur and Bengaluru, and four police inspectors from various police stations in the area.
The decision was made without any specific complaints against the officers, according to a functionary. However, the transfer was deemed necessary to ensure better conduct of the polls. The EC has also ordered the transfer of a local DSP and one circle inspector in Surpur Yadgir following clashes between BJP and Congress workers earlier this month. Another DSP and circle inspector of Devadurga in Raichur district are also being replaced due to reports of “intimidation” of candidates and hindrance to electioneering in their jurisdiction.
The election for the 224-member assembly is scheduled to take place on May 10, and the EC is taking measures to ensure that it is conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The transfer of these police personnel is one such step to ensure that the poll code is strictly enforced and that the election process is conducted smoothly without any hindrance or bias towards any particular party or candidate.