The government may prescribe a "cooling off" period to such civil servants under a proposal of the Legislative department through an amendment in the service rules, than in the electoral law.
Concerned over a number of "senior civil servants" jumping into the poll fray, the Election Commission had earlier this year asked the government to bring in a "cooling off period" clause between leaving the government job and joining a political party by these officials which include those from the IAS, IPS and other Class 'A' services.
The EC had asked the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to suggest a "suitable" cooling off period for these officials so that they remain impartial during their tenure and take decisions with integrity while they serve.
"It is stated that once a person in government service demits office by virtue of any reason whatsoever, he becomes an ordinary man and therefore, we may not treat them unequally.
"Also, by putting any provision in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (with regard to cooling off period) debarring the retired government servant from contesting elections and thereby curtailing their statutory right seems an arbitrary provision. Therefore, the Legislative Department is of the view that the remedy lies in making provision in the relevant service rules and not amendment in the election laws," the department said in a communication to the DoPT. (More)
