Election Commission extends political neutrality rules to retired officials in five poll-bound states

UPDATE - follow-up to ECI extends model code restrictions to retired govt officials engaged by states: The Election Commission of India has expanded political neutrality rules during the Model Code of Conduct period to include retired government officials and other individuals engaged, re-employed, or attached by state and union territory governments.

Directives Sent to Five States

The panel sent the letter on November 9 to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, which face assembly elections early next year. The ECI noted in its communication that there were previously no specific guidelines or rules governing the political conduct of such re-employed individuals during election periods. Under the new directive, these persons must remain politically neutral and are strictly barred from joining election campaigns or canvassing for any party or candidate.

New Summoning Restrictions

The fresh rules prohibit retired officials from summoning any election-related officer in a district or constituency where polls are announced, whether for video conferences, official meetings, or other discussions. According to Hindustan Times, the ECI warned that any action or omission against these orders will be treated seriously. An official noted that the decision followed internal deliberations after receiving complaints during past elections regarding the conduct of officials who continued working with state governments after retirement.

Historical Rules and Complaints

The directive builds upon older instructions from 1984 and 1991 prohibiting government staff from campaigning or lending their official authority to aid any political candidate. The Model Code also covers bodies funded wholly or partly by the government. Political parties have previously questioned the neutrality of such engaged retired officials, lodging complaints against former bureaucrats like Rajesh Kumar Khullar, who served as a chief minister's chief principal secretary.

Context

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by election watchdogs to ensure a level playing field and prevent the ruling party from misusing official machinery during elections. Expanding these curbs to retired and re-employed personnel helps close loopholes where individuals retained by the state might otherwise influence poll-related administration.