New Delhi (18.03.2024): With the Election Commission of India (ECI) now being in command after 2024 Lok Sabha elections announced, it has issued directives for the removal of home secretaries in six states -- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Additionally, the ECI has also ordered the removal of the Director General of Police (DGP) in West Bengal. The WB government has been instructed to give charge of DGP to the next senior-most officer officer in the police headquarters. The ECI has also asked for the names of three senior-most officers by maximum 5 PM today for the appointment of DGP.

Secretary of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh holding charges in their respective Chief Minister's Offices have also been removed from their positions.  The poll watchdog has also taken action to remove Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, along with several additional commissioners and deputy commissioners.

The removals come as part of the Election Commission's efforts to ensure fair and transparent elections, maintaining the integrity of the electoral process across various states.