Hyderabad: Deployment of bureaucrats as election observers from one state to another has taken an unusual turn ahead of the upcoming elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.According to sources, the Election Commission of India selected officials from Telangana key departments such as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, health, planning, power, and welfare, and the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation.Sources said the ECI deviated from its usual practice by directly selecting officials from states instead of relying on lists sent by state govts, and rejected an alternative list proposed by the state govt.Officials chosen from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka were called to Delhi for a meeting with the ECI on Friday. “During the break period, matters of discussion were on the changes regarding postings. But, officials are yet to receive clear directives on their specific assignments in designated states or locations,” sources said.Typically, the general administration department submits a list of officials for election duty, from which the ECI makes its selections. This time, however, the ECI itself handpicked senior officials from Telangana and submitted the list for assignment.Usually, state govts recommend officers whose duties do not directly involve essential public service delivery or urgent administrative work. In contrast, the ECI this time chose senior officers across departments.Sources said that even officials who normally seek exemption due to personal constraints were overlooked, despite the state govt submitting a revised list. “That list was not accepted by the commission,” sources said.In another departure from past practice, officials from the budget wing of Andhra Pradesh were also selected, just days ahead of the state’s budget presentation. Under normal circumstances, the ECI and state govts engage in consultations before finalising observer lists.“However, this instance stands apart; the selected officers will have to actively participate during the nomination process while also monitoring potential election violations during the voting,” sources said.
