The Election Commission has directed the Gujarat government to transfer four Collectors and as many IPS officers with immediate effect to ensure free and fair elections in the state.

The four Collectors replaced are those of Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Dahod and Tapi.

EC sources said that the Superintendents of Police in Jamnagar and Patan, besides Deputy Commissioner of Police in Surat City and a Joint Commissioner of Special branch in Ahmedabad, have also been transferred.

Confirming the transfers, Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Officer Anita Karwal said, the transfers have been initiated for administrative reasons and for ensuring smooth conduct of elections to help bring in more efficiency.