EC submits recommendations on providing relief to public officials contesting local polls

The Election Commission (EC) has sent several observations / recommendations to the Prime Minister on providing relief to public servants who had given nominations to contest the local government election. 

A meeting was held on April 10 between EC officials and the PM in his capacity as the Minister of Public Administration on how to provide relief to public servants contesting the election who had been left inconvenienced owing to the failure to hold the poll as scheduled. The meeting was held after many complaints were made to the EC that public officials who are candidates at the election and their dependents were facing severe difficulties as the candidates had to keep taking no-pay leave due to the election being further postponed. 

It was at this meeting that the PM asked for observations / recommendations from the Commission, which have now been forwarded to him by the EC. 

Accordingly, the EC has recommended that the officials who are candidates at the election be paid their basic salary and allowances (except for transport, phone and attendance allowances).

It has also observed that it would be appropriate to consider such officials being allowed to return to their jobs at a place other than their usual place of work or that is outside the ward their contesting from or the electorate they have been given.

The EC has further observed that temporary transfers given to the spouse or closest relation of a such a candidate ahead of the poll to ensure a free and fair election should be rescinded and they be transferred back their previous place of work.