Chandigarh, March 20: Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Sibin C, informed that in respect of the Model Code of Conduct regarding General Election to Lok Sabha 2024, all officers and personnel of the Police Department, ranging from the rank of Director General of Police to Constable, shall be deemed to be on deputation of the Election Commission of India. This is owing to their direct or indirect involvement in the management and conduct of elections as per the provisions of Section 28A of the Representation of People Act, 1951, with immediate effect.

Sibin C further stated that a Gazette Notification has been issued by the State Government to this effect. He clarified that the aforementioned order shall be applicable to Director General of Police, Additional Director Generals of Police, Inspector Generals of Police (both at headquarters and in the field), Commissioners of Police, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (both at headquarters and in the field), Assistant Inspector Generals of Police (both at headquarters and in the field), Senior Superintendents of Police, Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officers such as Deputy Superintendents of Police, and other police officers/officials including Inspectors, Sub Inspectors, Assistant Sub Inspectors, Head Constables, and Constables.

The orders of deputation will remain in force till the end of the Election Process, he added.