Barely a week before the Assembly elections in Gujarat, the Election Commission on Friday ordered immediate transfer of Superintendent of Police of Sabarkantha and Mahsana districts saying their presence would "not be conducive" for the poll process.
The Commission has "desired" that the presence of two SPs - N D Solanki of Sabarkantha and AK Singh of Mahsana district - will "not be conducive to conduct free and fair elections in the State," the Commission said in a letter to the State Chief Secretary.
"These officials should be transferred forthwith and replaced by suitable officers," the Commission said.
In a strongly-worded letter, the Election Commission directed the State government that these officials should not be given any election-related work, including maintenance of law and order.
The EC also directed the State government that a panel of suitable direct recruit police officers should be sent to the Commission by Saturday evening.