Six presiding officers suspended in Arunachal

Six presiding officers who went missing with EVMs shortly after conclusion of polling for the Arunachal Pradesh assembly on October 13 and reappeared on the next morning, have been suspended.

Six presiding officers who went missing with EVMs shortly after conclusion of polling for the Arunachal Pradesh assembly on October 13 and reappeared on the next morning, have been suspended.

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The officers of Likabali constituency under West Siang district were suspended for dereliction of duty as their disappearance for over eight hours resulted in violence in which government and personal property of the sub-divisional office-cum-returning officers office were damaged, official sources said on Thursday.

West Siang DEO Amjad Tak placed them under suspension, they said.

The presiding officers carrying the election materials failed to report to Likabali RO Office complex till late in the night where all polling teams were ready to move to the Aalo receiving centre under police escort.

Two candidates Gumke Riba (NCP) and Yai Mara (AITC) lodged complaints about the missing presiding officers.

Despite assurance of appropriate action, the candidates, polling agents and supporters allegedly damaged office articles, vehicles and windows and also attacked the SDO's residence and damaged household articles.

The presiding officers, however, reported at the ROs office at 5:40 am the next day, the sources said.