CHENNAI: Around one lakh election-related officials will continue to remain in their postings as a ban is in place on transfers during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu.
The restriction will be lifted after the final electoral roll is published, officials said.
The SIR process in Tamil Nadu commenced on October 28, 2025. The enumeration phase was extended twice, and the final roll is scheduled to be published on February 17.
"The SIR has been in progress since October 28 and has crossed three months. During this period, the Election Commission of India cannot transfer poll-related officials, including District Collectors," an ECI official said.
Routine transfers of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police happen following the Republic Day celebrations. However, due to the ongoing SIR exercise, nearly one lakh officials, including District Collectors, Block Development Officers and Revenue Department staff, have continued in the same postings for nearly six months.
The official explained that a team from the ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar with other Election Commissioners, is expected to visit Tamil Nadu in the second week of February, ahead of the publication of the final roll.
"After that stage, it will be difficult to effect changes in poll-related postings," the official added. Meanwhile, the State government is also preparing to transfer officials who have completed three years or more in the same post. The State has decided to finalise the list and submit a compliance report to the ECI before the end of next month, sources said.
Officials said the exercise aims to balance administrative continuity during the voter revision process with the requirement of periodic transfers ahead of the Assembly election.