Congress flags ‘mass transfers’ in Goa ahead of voter roll revision; CEO to seek state’s explanation

A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across nine states and three Union Territories, the Goa Congress has objected to what it calls a “mass transfer” of civil servants by the state government — alleging that the reshuffle violates ECI guidelines designed to protect the neutrality of the poll process.

Goa government recently transferred 34 junior-scale officers of the Goa Civil Service, describing the move as “routine” and necessary to fill pending vacancies. However, the Congress claimed the timing and scope of the reshuffle undermined the integrity of the ongoing electoral roll revision exercise.

In a letter to Goa’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjay Goel, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar wrote, “Several deputy collectors, chief officers, and other key officials directly associated with the electoral process have been transferred.

Most of these officers are, or will be, involved in the conduct of the SIR. Such mass transfers, executed after the announcement of SIR, are in complete violation of the ECI’s guidelines, which prohibit any transfer of officers connected with electoral duties without prior approval of the Election Commission.”

Patkar urged immediate intervention to “annul these irregular transfers” and ensure “strict compliance with ECI norms,” warning that the neutrality and transparency of the process must be “upheld at all costs.”

Responding to the development, CEO Sanjay Goel acknowledged that some electoral registration officers (EROs) were among those shifted. “We will take up the issue with the state government,” he said, adding that he had already met representatives of political parties to review preparations for the SIR exercise.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the ECI’s decision to initiate the SIR, calling it a step toward electoral integrity. “A clean and transparent voter list is the bedrock of democracy. This drive will help identify and correct discrepancies, remove ineligible entries, and strengthen the integrity of our electoral process,” he posted on X.

As the controversy brews, the state administration’s “routine transfers” could soon test the Election Commission’s resolve to ensure a level electoral field ahead of the next major poll cycle.