EC removes returning officer Sandeep Mahatme from Tripura West

Agartala, May 3, 2019:

The Election Commission of India has removed the returning officer of the Tripura West seat Sandeep Mahatme and has appointed Vikas Singh in his place following the allegation of poll-related violation in the constituency.

As per reports, the opposition parties Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Congress alleged large-scale rigging, booth capturing, intimidation and attacks on voters and polling agents by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members and demanded the removal of Sandeep Mahatme and re-poll in the constituency.

The EC in its order issued by Secretary Arvind Anand relieved Mahatme from election-related duties and appointed Vikas Singh, District Magistrate of Dhalai, to join his new posting by Thursday.

However, the review order of re-polls is pending.