ISLAMABAD, July 27: No government official whose transfer order was passed before July 23, and not implemented till the date could assume charge of his new post till the October elections, an order passed by Chief Election Commissioner said.

“Any transfer order was made prior to July 23, 2002, but was not implemented it shall not be given effect to after July 23, 2002,” CEC Justice Irshad Hassan Khan said.

On July 23, the CEC had issued a notification restricting federal and provincial government from transferring or postings government employees till the completion of October elections, ostensibly to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in the country.

The CEC asked the concerned authorities to immediately recall all such orders and status quo should be maintained.

The Election Commission

in the earlier order had stated that individual transfers of civil servants should also not be made with immediate effect, except in the exigencies of service and in public interest and the EC shall be informed simultaneously.

The EC passed these order under Article 218 sub-clause (3) of the Constitution of 1973 which required it to make all necessary arrangements for ensuring that the elections are conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and the corrupt practices are guarded against.

Article 220 of the Constitution provided that it should be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and provinces to assist the Commissioner and Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions.