The Election Commission Saturday initiated the process of finding an alternative to Mizoram chief electoral officer who is facing a massive agitation for ouster by a conglomerate of civil society and student organisations.
A Commission spokesperson said that in a meeting held in New Delhi on Saturday, the poll panel has "only decided to call for a panel of names for the post of State CEO from chief secretary of Mizoram."
The spokesperson said "next steps" will "only be taken after receiving the report of the team led by Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain".
State chief electoral officer SB Shashank had reportedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state and complained to the EC that the state's former principal secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo was interfering with the poll process.
Mr Chuaungo, a native of Mizoram and a Gujarat-cadre IAS officer was relieved of his duties earlier this month.
The NGO Coordination Committee - a conglomerate of civil societies and student organisations - along with other political leaders, had been demanding Shashank's exit from the state since then.
The NGO also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014.
Meanwhile in Mizoram, the visiting Election Commission team led by Mr Jain, has left for New Delhi on Saturday after holding talks with the stakeholders in view of the demands for removal of Mizoram Chief Election Officer Shashank, officials said.
The team would submit its report to the Election Commission, they said.
Over 900 Voters Above The Age Of 100 In 1st Phase Of Jharkhand Polls 2024 EVMs Can't Be Hacked Like Pagers: Poll Body Chief On Congress's Charges Poll Body Turned Down NCP-Sharad Pawar's Demand To Freeze Trumpet Symbol MK Stalin Asks Centre To Recall Tamil Nadu Governor In Row Over Anthem Delhi Ex Minister Satyendar Jain Leaves Jail, Chief Minister Greets Him Tamil Nadu Police's Counter Petition In Supreme Court Against Sadhguru Harris, Trump Barnstorm Key State Michigan, Where Polls Say They're Tied 2 Brothers Found Dead Amid Rituals In Chhattisgarh: Cops Israel And Iran-Backed Foes Hamas And Hezbollah Vow More War Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.