Poll code: EC stays Army col's appointment as SSP by J-K admin

Citing the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission has put in abeyance the Jammu and Kashmir administration's order to appoint an Army colonel as SSP (training and special operations).

In its order to the J-K chief secretary, the EC said there is a ban on transfer of officers connected to elections as the Model Code of Conduct is in force in the Union Territory.

Without going into the rationale, process and urgency of posting of an Army officer as SSP in the civil side during the period of the operation of MCC, the commission directed that the appointment order be kept in abeyance with immediate effect.

If the order has already been implemented, the status quo prior to its issuance must be restored immediately, the EC said.

The Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary has been instructed to submit a compliance report by 11:00 am on October 1, along with a detailed explanation on the rationale for issuing the order without obtaining the required clearance from the Election Commission.

The colonel, Vikrant Prasher, belongs to the Indian Army's Para, High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg.

Jammu and kashmir is voting in three phases in assembly elections.

The third and final phase is scheduled on October 1. The votes will be counted on October 8.