Hunt on for CEO as parties flay Shashank

AIZAWL: In a first, several political parties in Mizoram have accused chief electoral officer (CEO) SB Shashank of being anti-Mizo and "puncturing" the state's enviable record of holding peaceful polls for decades. This came even as the state government proposed the names of three IAS officers for the post of CEO as was sought by the Election Commission (EC), an official said on Sunday.

Shashank is at the centre of a row over allegedly trying to facilitate Bru voters in Tripura relief camps to vote in the November 28 Mizoram assembly elections from that state. Shashank had also sought deployment of 40 companies of central armed police forces in the state.

"Here, we do not need it. Normally, there are twothree policemen (at polling booths)," said Zoramthanga, the president of the main opposition party - Mizo National Front. Asked if Shashank acted in favour of the BJP as the Brus are considered sympathetic to the saffron party, he said that he is "unaware" of the CEO's intention.

The ruling Congress accused Shashank of being anti-Mizo and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere "just ahead of polls to the state Assembly".