Continuing its tough stance on bureaucrats perceived as partial in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission on Friday took the unprecedented step of removing the Chief Secretary as part of measures to ensure free and fair polls.

The action to remove the top boss of the state administration N C Bajpai with immediate effect came two days after it replaced the DGP Bua Singh and several other civil administration officials.

Shambhu Nath, a senior IAS officer of 1970 batch has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary with immediate effect, the EC sources said.

There were reports recently that Bajpai had addressed a meeting of the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow.

Bajpai has been replaced under Article 324(6) of the Constitution, which empowers the Commission to seek necessary staff for the conduct of elections.

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami on Thursday hinted that at some more transfers in the run up the assembly polls.