KOLKATA, March 25 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) told the Calcutta high court on Wednesday that it possesses residuary powers under the Constitution to transfer and post officers in any state to ensure free and fair elections.

Senior counsel D S Naidu, who appeared for the poll panel, told a bench of chief justice Sujoy Paul and justice Partha Sarathi Sen that the commission was vested with residuary powers to deal with any unforeseen circumstances that might affect free and fair elections.

Arka Nag, a lawyer and Kolkata resident, filed the petition on March 20, challenging the transfer of 79 senior officers, including the state's top bureaucrats. Many of them were posted in other states where polls are being held. Among thos...