New Delhi, Oct. 28 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday directed the governments of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to transfer certain categories of officers connected to election work, marking a procedural step that usually paves the way for assembly elections. All five states are scheduled to go to the polls in early 2027. In a letter to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of the five states, ECI said officers posted in their home districts, those who have completed three years in a district in the last four years, or will do so by May 31, 2027, in the case of Uttar Pradesh, must be transferred. The cut-off date for completing three years is March 31, 2027, for Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand, and May 31, 2027, for Uttar Pradesh. "While calculating the period of three years, promotion to a post within the district is to be counted. However, the services rendered (during the last four years) in the 'state headquarters', even if located in the same revenue district, may not be accounted for in calculation of three years period in the present district," the poll panel said. Five years ago, this order was issued on October 13, 2021 and the assembly elections eventually announced on January 8 2022 and conducted between February 10 and March 27. District officers such as District Election Officers (DEOs), Returning Officers (ROs), Additional District Magistrates (ADMs), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Tehsildars and Block Development Officers (BDOs); Divisional and Municipal Commissioners were covered under the order. Police officers from Sub-Inspector up to Range Additional Directors General (ADGs) and Inspectors General (IGs), and excise and transport department officers of Sub-Inspector rank and above were also covered. Posts earmarked for cadre officers must be held only by them, and the letter said there could be no exception. The term of the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly ends on May 22, 2027. The terms of the 60-member Manipur, 40-member Goa, 117-member Punjab and 70-member Uttarakhand assemblies on March 13, March 14, March 16, and March 28 2027 respectively. Staff engaged in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls - which is underway in the five states between November 12 and January 4 - will be transferred only after the final publication of the rolls, in consultation with the CEO. Chief secretaries and DGPs must submit compliance reports by November 30. Although routine, this exercise became contentious in West Bengal earlier this year when the commission replaced the chief secretary and DGP soon after announcing poll dates....