The Chhattisgarh high court on Friday stayed the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) quashing the Election Commission directive to transfer the collectors of Bastar and Jashpur districts for violating the model code of conduct for December one elections.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice K H N Kuranga and Justice L P Bhado heard the arguments of the commission, which had challenged the November 25 CAT order staying the transfers.

Arguing the matter on behalf of the Election Commission, its advocate Kanak Tiwari said the issues relating to conduct of free and fair polls cannot be decided by the CAT as it is the subject of the commission.

"The CAT also do not have the jurisdiction to hear such cases as the tribunal deals with disputes between the employer and the employee," Tiwari said.

The EC also told the court that the collectors have not been removed as a punishment, rather it was a step towards conduct of free and fair polls.