Mizoram government employees refuse to cooperate with Election Commission

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9. 

In a letter submitted to the visiting three-member Election Commission team headed by Jharkhand CEO L Khiangte, the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGE and W) leaders said that the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) sought by Shashank was "illogical" as the state has the reputation of being the most peaceful in the country. 

Moreover, the state also has a long history of holding peaceful and free elections as witnessed by the poll panel for years, they said. Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28 and the counting of votes on December 11. 

"The scale of requisition of CAPF personnel for the coming election to the state Assembly sends a signal that the Commission and the CEO may not have faith in the employees of the state government in various processes of the election," the letter said. 

It added that the Election Commission and the state CEO might consider bringing all sets of officials to handle various processes of the election if they do not have faith in the employees of the state government. 

The FMGE and W also condemned the transfer of the Principal Secretary for Home Lalnunmawia Chuaungo outside the state due to the "false and unwarranted allegations" of Shashank.

(With inputs from agencies.)