CEO suspends 21 govt employees, disengages 5 adhoc, casual labourers

SRINAGAR: The Chief Electoral Officer has initiated action against 21 government employees, adhoc and casual labourers after they were found to have taken part in election campaigning with a view to ensure transparency in ongoing Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Acting swiftly on detailed ground inquiry reports, 21 employees found involved in political campaigning have been placed under suspension while 5 adhoc employees including casual labourers and others against whom the charges of involvement in Political campaigning were proved have been disengaged”, informed J&K Chief Electoral Officer.

Meanwhile, 20 employees have been shifted out of the offices where they were posted and attached with other offices to ensure that they do not indulge in such behaviour which raises suspicion of their involvement in campaigning or favouring any particular party/candidate.

The CEO further informed that notices have been issued to 15 employees against whom the complaints of involvement in campaigning have been received and their cases are under investigation. Besides, about 51 complaints have been closed as the detailed inquiry proved that that they were not involved in political campaigning. (RK)