New Delhi, Oct 08: In a significant order, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has upheld the jurisdiction of the Election Commission in recommending disciplinary action against government officials engaged in poll duties and disapproved the conduct of the officials in rushing to the court on the issue. "It is made clear that the officers of the state, who are assigned election work, should do their duty without fear or favour and should always act in public interest", the court said in a recent order disposing of a petition challenging the EC order. In March this year, the EC had directed Madhya Pradesh government to suspend three district collectors on charges of irregularities in electoral rolls and they went to the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) which struck down the EC order. "We feel that the IAS officers should not have rushed to the court challenging the communications between the Election Commission and the state government. This is a confidential letter addressed to the state government by the Election Commission", the court said in its recent order. "All directions given by the election commission in their communication stand revived except the factum of recommendations relating to suspension of the IAS officers", it said.

Bureau Report