The Election Commission (EC) has asked the Mizoram Government to suggest two more names for the post of State Chief Election Officer (CEO). Earlier, the chief secretary of Mizoram has sent the three names — Lalhmingthanga, H Lalengmawia, and K Lalthawmmawia for the chief electoral officer’s post. There has been no decision regarding the removal of CEO SB Shashank, who had courted controversy in the poll-bound State.
Sources in the EC said the poll panel has sought two more panel names for the CEO’s post from the Mizoram Government.
The EC will only appoint someone as CEO if he or she is capable of conducting free, fair and peaceful election. Meanwhile, the EC will again be meeting Shashank to know what exactly the level is of preparedness and what should be done in Mizoram because the new incumbent will have very little time to deliver polls in the State, said officials.
Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain, who led the second EC team to Mizoram on Friday, had told officials that it would take two-three days to select and appoint a new CEO. Jain had also assured the NGO Coordination Committee leaders — who were spearheading the movement against Shashank — that the CEO would be replaced and the Bru voters housed in Tripura relief camps would exercise their franchise from Mizoram, which were the primary demands of the organisation.
The EC had initiated the process of finding an alternative to the Mizoram CEO on Saturday.
Thousands of people took to the streets and picketed in front of Shashank’s office for two days last week. The protesters, under the aegis of the NGO Coordination Committee, had also set an ultimatum for Shashank to leave urgently.