In a move to ensure that the upcoming elections to the Lok Sabha are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday transferred the home secretaries of six states – Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

The EC also removed the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal. Additionally, the secretaries of the General Administrative Department of Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have also been removed.

The EC had directed all state governments to transfer officers engaged in election-related duties who have completed three years in their current postings or are serving in their home districts. However, the Maharashtra government failed to comply with the directives regarding several municipal commissioners as well as additional and deputy municipal commissioners.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the chief secretary, the EC directed the transfer of the officials by 6 pm Monday.

(Inputs from ANI)