A coordination committee of major NGOs and student bodies in Mizoram has issued a directive asking the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S.B. Shashank to leave Mizoram by November 5, following the transfer of Principal Secretary, Home, Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, over complaints filed by the CEO.

The committee, which includes the Young Mizo Association, Mizo Upa Pawl (senior citizens association), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (women’s organisation), and student groups Mizo Zirlai Pawl and Mizo Students Union, accused the CEO of hampering free, fair, and peaceful Assembly elections and hurting the sentiments of the Mizo people.

“The civil societies in Mizoram have been working to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polls, but recent actions of Shashank were in contravention of such efforts. The NGO Coordination Committee is of the opinion that the CEO is no longer fit to conduct the electoral process,” the statement read.

The committee further suggested that Shashank be replaced by an official who is trustworthy and enjoys the confidence of the Mizo people to oversee the Assembly polls.

On Friday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) transferred Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, Principal Secretary of the Home Department, citing interference in the electoral process. The ECI stated that Chuaungo’s continuance could adversely affect the conduct of smooth, free, and fair elections in the state.

The complaint against Chuaungo included his questioning of the security deployment levels and objections to special arrangements for Bru refugees, who have been living in Tripura for 21 years following ethnic clashes in Mizoram. These refugees are registered voters in Mizoram and have historically voted via postal ballots from Tripura camps.