Govt officials can't work as state poll commissioners: Supreme Court

Says state polls must be headed by independent persons

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court Friday held that a person employed with the government cannot work as state election commissioners (SECs) and came down on the Goa government for giving its law secretary the additional charge of the SEC.

The apex court said the state poll panels shall be headed by independent persons who do not hold any office under the state government and if they hold any such offices, then they have to resign before taking charge of SEC.

The top court said election commissioners have to be independent persons and no state can appoint a person who holds