New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) Sending out a stern message, the Election Commission on Friday sought an explanation from the Maharashtra chief secretary and the state's police chief for failing to fully implement its orders on the transfer of officials ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.

In a strongly-worded letter, the poll body said despite a directive issued on July 31 to relocate officials who had served in their home districts or current posting for over three years, the state administration had not completed the process.

Also Read | MCD Standing Committee Elections 2024 Result: BJP's Sunder Singh Tanwar Wins Last Vacant Seat of MCD's Highest Decision-Making Panel, 0 Votes for AAP's Nirmala Kumari.

According to the Election Commission's (EC) mandate, the compliance report was due by August 31. While the additional director general of police submitted a partial report, the chief secretary is yet to provide a full response.

Sources noted that more than 100 inspector-level officers in Mumbai and revenue officials, many holding key positions in the state, had not been transferred as required.

Also Read | Bhagalpur Bridge Collapse: Traffic Disrupted After Entire Bridge in Bihar Caves in Due to Strong River Current, Third Incident in State Within a Week (Watch Video).

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar expressed his displeasure over the state administration's non-compliance, stating that the delay undermined efforts to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

The EC has made it clear that further inaction would not be tolerated.

The term of the currently Maharashtra Assembly ends on November 26 and the polls are likely to be held before that. The EC is currently in the state to review its preparedness for the polls.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)