EC asks poll observer in Meghalaya to return to home state

An election observer deputed in the twin Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya was asked to return to his home state by the Election Commission for failing to perform his allotted duties, officials said today.
"The Commission has directed that the Observer Mohammad Afzal Bhat appointed for Shillong parliamentary constituency may be directed to immediately leave and proceed to his home state," EC secretary K N Bhar said in a letter to Bhat.
The commission has arranged for another observer to take charge of electioneering in East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts.
While the EC was tight lipped on Bhat's dismissal, state poll officials said the state election office had lodged a complaint with the Commission against the observer for dereliction of duties.

Bhat who was given charge to look after seven Assembly constituencies was supposed to be available in either of the two district headquarters in Jaintia hills but the observer remained stationed at the state capital, an election official told PTI.
Bhat checked out at noon yesterday after he received the official communique from the Commission.