EC transfers Assam returning officer amid first phase poll

The Election Commission Thursday transferred the returning officer of Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency of Assam after receiving complaints against him from the central observers.

Phoni Bhushan Roy, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj district, was shifted on a day when the first phase Lok Sabha poll was held in five other constituencies of the state.

Roy was replaced by M S Manivannan, director of the state agriculture department, sources in the state CEO's office said here.

The sources said the central observers have complained to the EC against Roy regarding his "non-performance and lack of knowledge" about the constituency.

The EC had sent Abhinav Chandra as the General Observer of the Karimganj Lok Sabha seat, while Sanjeev Kumar Kalra is stationed as the Police Observer.

Karimganj is going to polls in the second phase on April 18.