Exclusive: EC allows transfer, promotion of bank officials during model code of conduct

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

The Election Commission of India has allowed the transfer and promotion of officers in state-run financial services organisations such as banks, provided those assigned polling duties were not relocated. The panel has, however, deferred any fresh appointments till the elections are over.

“The Commission has no objection, from the model code of conduct (MCC) angle, to the promotion or transfer of officers, subject to the condition that no official involved in the election work in any capacity is relieved or dislocated till the election process is over. Further, the recruitment or fresh appointment shall be deferred till completion of the election process,” the poll panel said in a letter to the finance ministry on March 28.

The finance ministry reacted with an email for compliance with the Election Commission directive to all public sector banks, including State Bank of India, insurance companies, including Life Insurance Corporation of India, regional rural banks, debts recovery tribunals, and other state-run financial institutions.

Moneycontrol has a copy of the letter from the Election Commission and the ministry's email to the banks.

The finance ministry had taken up the matter with the poll panel in a March 26 letter, seeking to allow the organisations to conduct promotions, recruitments and transfers in the normal course during the MCC ahead of general elections.

The Model of Conduct came into effect after the Election Commission on March 16 announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. It will remain in place until the election results are announced. As the tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha is scheduled to conclude on June 16, elections to its 543 seats must be conducted before this date.

The primary aim of the MCC is to uphold the principles of free and fair polls by promoting ethical conduct and preventing unfair practices. One key provision of the MCC prohibits the government from making policy announcements during the election period to ensure a level playing field for all parties and candidates.

MCC is not a law, but a set of guidelines issued by the poll panel. While it is not enforceable by any specific legislation passed by Parliament, any violation of MCC can have consequences.