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Sunday, Apr 12, 2009
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Poll panel withdraws observer

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission of India has withdrawn P.L. Darbar, an IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre, from his election duty as an observer for three Assembly segments in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, following his controversial behaviour towards an election official on Friday.

In a press release issued from New Delhi on Saturday, the Election Commission said that the punishment Mr. Darbar had meted out to Soopy K., extension officer of Melady block panchayat, was uncalled for. The commission directed the Gujarat government to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Darbar, the press release said.

“The entire sequence of events has been video-graphed by the accompanying official videographer. The commission has also seen the video clipping. The commission is extremely unhappy about the uncalled for action of the observer,” it said.

Protest

The election observer’s action has whipped up strong protest and resentment, especially among politically-conscious government employees and service organisations in Kerala.

State secretary of the CPI(M) Pinarayi Vijayan has demanded the suspension of the official. If the authorities were not prepared to do so, the State government should move the Supreme Court against the “uncultured and inhuman” behaviour of the official.

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