Election Commission Orders Transfer Of Poll-Related Officers Ahead Of 2026 Assembly Elections

Officers linked to election duties in five states and one Union Territory will be shifted following fresh instructions from the Election Commission ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

The directive applies to Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. Officials who have served for three years in the same district during the past four years, or are posted in their home district will not be allowed to continue in those positions.

For Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the eligibility cut-off for the three-year rule is 31 May 2026, while for Puducherry it is 30 June 2026. State governments have been told to finish the transfer process and submit compliance details to the Commission by 27 February 2026, as part of election preparedness with Assembly terms ending between May and June next year.