Guwahati: Protest demanding ouster of the Chief Electoral Officer(ceo) SB Shashank subsided on Wednesday has Shashank left for New Delhi.
He is expected to meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) officials on Thursday. Agitating organisations said that they will decide the next course of action later.
Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla could not file his nomination paper from Serchhip asprotesters were picketing outside the office of the returning officer. He is contesting from two seats.
Central Young Mizo Association, which is one of the constituent of NGO Coordination Committee that is spreading the protest, said that the CEO should be replaced and the Bru community will have to cast their votes
in Mizoram.
On Tuesday there was meeting between the ECI officials and agitating bodies however the meeting could not make much headway.
After the meeting Nikhil Kumar, director at the election commission said , “We have developed a lot of mutual understanding. We appreciated each other’s viewpoint. We are drafting a report which will be submitted to
the commission and they will take a decision.”
An umbrella organisation of several organisations is seeking removal of Mizoram CEO SB Shashank following removal of the home secretary, Lalnunmawia Chuaungo by the Election commission. This officer is
accused of interfering with the poll process. The organisations alleged that Chuaungo was ousted following complaint by Shashank.
Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh “to restore status quo.” The chief minister stated, “With the complete loss of confidence in
him by the people, the only solution for smooth conduct of Assembly polls now would be removal of the CEO from his office forthwith. There is no threat whatsoever to the Brus for casting their votes in Mizoram.”
ECI has asked the state government to ensure that all possible measures are taken for holding peaceful polls. There is allegation that there is attempt to enroll Bru voters without following proper procedures.
In 1990’s following ethnic clashes thousands of people from the Bru community fled Mizoram and took shelter in relief camps in Tripura.
Elections to the 40-member Mizoram assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28.
