The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has urged the Election Commission to remove Secretary to the Government, Department of Finance, V. Candavelou, as Chief Electoral Officer as he has been in the post for about four years.
Addressing a press conference here, AIADMK leader in the Legislative Assembly A. Anbalagan said as part of preparations for the Lok Sabha polls, the commission had directed the Chief Secretary and the Chief Electoral Officer to shift officers who have been holding the same post for more than three years.
The commission had failed to consider the fact that the Chief Electoral Officer was the same person for more than four years. “How could Mr. Candavelou implement the Election Commission directive when he himself was holding the post since 2014.
The Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary should issue necessary orders relieving Mr. Candavelou of the charge of CEO. Otherwise, the party will approach the Commission seeking his removal,” he said.
‘Officer backing L-G’
Questioning the impartiality of Mr. Candavelou in taking decisions, Mr. Anbalagan said the officer had openly sided with Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi in her tive power struggle with the elected government.
The officer had defied a standing order issued by the Chief Minister at the behest of the Lt. Governor, the AIADMK leader said.
“The Lok Sabha elections cannot be held in an impartial manner with Mr. Candavelou at the helm,” he said.
Mr. Anbalagan accused Ms. Bedi of victimising officials whom she considered as close to the elected government.
“I can say that she deliberately wrote negative things in the confidential report of four Tamil-speaking IAS officials on the ground that they are close to the Chief Minister.
“The career of the four genuine officers has been spoiled by the Lt Governor,” he added.
